Meadowbank Riesling
Slight lift on the nose from barrel fermentation and long lees contact; a fitting compliment to the primary fruit by way of strawberry and fresh berry compote. There is a tenderness to this year's wine, the silky tannin-structure is first-rate with just enough back palate weight, by way of stalk use and light French oak, to hold its length. Meadowbank's Riesling vines, mostly Geisenheim 198 clone, were planted in 2005 and, since the arrival of Peter Dredge in 2016, have surely never been put to better use. From 2017 Dredge has rolled out organic practices across all the estate's vineyards allocated for the rebooted Meadowbank label. From the estate's sandy north-facing slopes overlying dark brown coffee rock, this spine-tingling Riesling was hand-picked, whole cluster pressed and naturally fermented in a mix of neutral oak (30%) and stainless tank. Both parcels were matured on their lees for five months before blending and bottling without fining. It's an incisively fresh Riesling offering Tassie Riesling's typical mix of fresh green apple and citrus and an acid spine seamlessly balanced by 8 g/L residual sugar. Meadowbank was first planted in 1974 prior to the purchase of the estate by Gerald and Sue Ellis in 1976. The initial plantings were small, but the business was enthusiastically grown by Gerald into the premium offering that is seen today. Partnering with friend and winemaker Peter Dredge, the next chapter is now being written. Meadowbank is the purest realisation of what our vineyard and Tasmania can offer. Located in the verdant Coal River Valley, north of Hobart in Tasmania, Meadowbank has two estate vineyards spanning over 50 hectares. The primary vineyard sites are at Cambridge and Glenora. Modern winemaking influence is obvious in these well packaged, cleanly made wines. Reflecting their cool climate origins, the winemaking team pick at physiological ripeness to elicit the most natural expression of their fruit.
Heggies Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay
Matured for 16 months in French oak barriques on lees. Brilliant very pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Elevated nectarine and dried honey aromas are intermeshed with biscuity oak, nougat and subtle spicy cashew notes. Mid weighted white peach and nectarine fruits show good flesh with notions of dried honey, spicy nougat, biscuity oak and delicate cashew unwinding on the fresh finish. The gentle creamed tinged aftertaste sees the emergence of subtle roasted almond characters. Drink over the next 3-4 years. Alc. 12%
Torbreck Juveniles Blanc
Immediately appealing aromas of tropical fruits such as guava, kaffir lime and green mango against a more restrained nashi pear note. The exotic fruit profile intermingles with Asian spices such as lemongrass and pickled Japanese ginger. The palate’s medium weight demonstrates a lightness and deft touch, with long acidity and acute fruit flavours. The mineral like acidity shines through with a saline and seashell freshness.
Henschke Peggy's Hill Riesling
The colour of gold struck through with green, this Riesling shows classic lime and mineral aromas with a touch of gooseberry. Rich and full-bodied, the citrus and tropical fruit flavours are underpinned by crisp acidity.
Robert Stein Reserve Riesling
In the glass: Pale lemon green. On the nose: Lime, green apple and jasmine.On the palate: Bone dry and extremely mouth-watering with layers of lime, green apple and jasmine and faint chalky notes on the finish.
Jim Barry Wines The Florita Riesling
Felton Road Bannockburn Riesling
An off-dry lower alcohol style, Felton Roads Bannockburn Riesling displays floral lift and fleshy stone fruit richness balanced by taut racy acidity. The fruit comes from Calvert & The Elms vineyards in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. The grapes are whole bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts, with the ferment arrested when the desired balance between acidity, alcohol and residual sugar is reached.
Clonakilla Riesling
Clonakilla Riesling is an unsung hero of Tim Kirk's stable of beautiful wines. Herbal with white flowers aromas with citrus and stone fruit bouquet, it has a clean, ripe fruit and zesty finish.
Felton Road Dry Riesling
Felton Road is the premier Central Otago producer with a strong reputation for terroir driven wines that have been allowed to find their own style rather than be 'crafted'. This Riesling shows n intense nose of stonefruit and citrus which leads into a rich and full palate with a strong mineral backbone. The finish is bright, with crunchy green apple acidity.
Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier
Yalumba is the leading Viognier producer in Australia, with Virgilius as a flagship. Aromas of stone fruit and cashew are balanced by a minerally edge and a palate with superb depth and complexity.