RIESLINGFREAK NO. 14 WATERVALE RIESLING
Rieslingfreak is indeed ‘a freak’, and not simply because of its rarity as an Australian winemaker focused on a single variety. A collection of wines, each given its own number to represent a different style, region or vineyard. The home of the No.14 is a single vineyard at Watervale in the Clare Valley, a region renowned for producing Riesling of richness and elegance. This wine may be enjoyed in its youth, but will also reward long-term cellaring.
Rudi Rabl Steinhaus Riesling
The Rabl estate was founded in 1750 and today covers around 50 hectares of vineyards in Austrias famous Kamptal wine region. Kamptal gets its name from the river Kamp and is home to Austrias largest wine-producing town, Langenlois. This south-southeast orientated vineyard is planted with Riesling in the upper part comprised of gneiss and slate soils. The lower parts possess deeper soils and are used for Grüner Veltliner. This is a warm site that lends wines a unique smoky mineral character.
Smidge The Gruve Gruner Veltliner
In the glass the 2014 Gruner Veltliner, (or GruVe as we like to call it) is very pale straw with fine green hue. The nose is lifted with a flinty minerality and a loaf of citrus (more fresh limes than lemons) with a subtle herby peppery and floral notes. Again the citrus is prevalent on the palate followed by a fine peppery note. The mouth watering acidity combines with the fruit and peppery notes to deliver a long and fresh finish. Drink now or until 2025 with careful cellaring.
Thorle Trocken Riesling
Dandelion Vineyards Wonderland of the Eden Valley Riesling
Pristine pale-straw with striking fluorescent green tinges around the rim edge. A gem-like and shimmeringly scented aroma of glittering, glimmering, glistening purity, poise and incandescence; lime blossom and honey suckle flower intensity is as pure as it is invigorating. An extraordinarily precise and clean citrus fruit spectrum - mandarin, bergamot, lemon, pomelo and lime. Essence of mandarin is underscored by a lilting harmony of stone-fruits, before searing, speeding, linear acidity escort lemon-meringue flavours to the palate's long finish.
Freycinet Riesling
Freycinet Riesling is pale straw in colour with a bouquet of orange blossom and honey that makes for immediate appeal. The palate is tightly structured with long citrus and grapefruit flavours. A real keeper!
Mount Horrocks Shiraz
This is a stylish shiraz by Mount Horrocks, classic in character with mouth-filling red and black fruits, rich and juicy. The palate is beautifully elegant, balanced with long fine tannins, spicy fruit and oak.
Sidewood Mappinga Chardonnay
Medium straw in colour this wine by Sidewood displays lifted white peach, fig, pear and pistachio nuts on the nose. This barrel fermented Adelaide Hills Chardonnay offers superbly structured characters. It is tight and lean, laced with citrus lime and tropical fruit characters. Some lovely subtle complexities from careful oak maturation on lees include nutmeg, sage spice and pistachio flavours which linger on the after taste. A lovely crisp wine now, that will benefit from some short term cellaring once bottled. Serve with Asian style broth, mushroom based dishes or Lobster bisque is a great match to this Chardonnays complexity in flavour, but finesse in structure.
Lark Hill Biodynamic Riesling
Lark Hill sits high a top the Canberra District wine region, some 840m above sea level. This altitude allows their fragrant aromatic whites to truly sing. The Riesling is brilliantly restrained which can be tasted in the overt mineral nature of the wine. Lively citrus blossom with white flowers can also be seen.
Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Riesling
Almond and vanilla cream are co-mingled with melon and apple on a palate of satiny, lees-enhanced richness and vivid buoyancy. This manages to soothe and refresh in an unbeatable if not inimitable 2008 way, with brown spices and crushed stone adding complexity to its lingering finish.