2005 Washington Hills Riesling

Clear, light gold appearance. Medium sweet nose, apricot-honey with a hint of petrol. Quite sweet and light on the palate, with low acidity; typical honey and stone fruit notes. Quite good, especially for the price, $20 at Kits Wine. It seems that this geographic area (Okanagan, Washington State) has a lot of potential in this varietal. See Washington Hills.

2006 Hartenberger Riesling

Medium clear yellow appearance. Nice lemon-petrol nose. Very earthy palate with strong lemon notes and a hint of citrus; nice acidity. Very distinctive, and unlike many of the recent, mostly German, Rieslings I’ve tried. I quite enjoy this one; recommended, particularly at the price, about $20 Canadian.

2006 Lang Farm Winery Reserve Riesling

Pale gold appearance; medium intensity apricot nose with obvious sweetness. Slightly low acidity but good body and a nice apple quality with that appealing Riesling sugar on the palate and a good finish. This is, along with the Joie 2007, a promising signal for BC Rieslings. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find; I bought it at the vineyard in Naramata. Lang Vineyards.

Poet’s Leap Riesling 2006

A birthday gift from my wife, bought on my first visit to Everything Wine in North Vancouver.

Clear, pale silver-gold appearance. Straightforward Riesling nose with honey, melon, and slate qualities. Good body. But the apricot-honey palate seems to be working somewhat in opposition to the acidity, and a bit of lingering minerality in the length disappoints slightly. Still, a nice drinkable Riesling.