Rockburn Tigermoth Riesling
This vintage Riesling was harvested from the Central Otago wine region. It has an alcohol level of 8.4% and the colour of this medium-sweet white wine is a glittering pale white gold. Primary fruit aromas of nectarine, apricot, honey-crisp apple, citrus, spring blossoms and plum flow off the nose, with underpinned fragrances of honeycomb, ginger and clove. The palate features flavours of apple, pear and mineral nuances, with a touch of honey that fills the mouth and leaves a fresh taste. The mid-palate is filled with notes of tangerine and lime. The balanced sweetness and fine acidity are brought to fruition by a long and cleansing finish. This wine is best served at 43°F. Here are a few food suggestions: honey-roasted pork with braised vegetables, stir-fried shrimp with bacon, fried semolina dumplings with apricots, and snapper with charred tomatillos.
Derwent Estate Riesling
Derwent Estate Riesling has an elegant and perfumed aroma, with lime fruits and bright acidity on the palate with a crisp dry finish.
Lethbridge Dr Nadeson Riesling
This Riesling by Lethbridge is Germanic in style, with fruit sourced from vines planted in 1982 at Barretts Vineyards near Drumborg. It is made using traditional German wine-making techniques, the hand-picked grapes were whole bunch pressed into tank for fermentation by wild yeast on partial solids. Fresh grapefruit acidity, underlying grapefruit, a dash of sherbet, some early bottle maturation honey and just a hint of ripe mango/peach fruit, all topped off with some yeast funk.
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.
Forest Hill Vineyard Block 2 Riesling
Yalumba FDR1A Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz
Pewsey Vale Vineyard The Contours Riesling
Mid straw in colour with green hues. Intense classic lemon fruit aromas with a hint of white flowers. Bottle aged characters of toast, clove oil and lemongrass have started to emerge. Shows great length and depth with concentrated power, pristine fresh lime juice overlaid with toasted brioche, sage oil and lime marmalade. The wine finishes with fresh, soft natural acidity. Pewsey Vale is synonymous with Riesling, and this historic hillside vineyard that rules the Eden Valley in South Australia is world-famous for the distinct style it produces. Originally established in 1847 by Joseph Gilbert, it was purchased by Samuel Smith (now Hill-Smith of Yalumba) in 1961. The vineyard sits 250 metres above the Barossa Valley floor. The resultant cooler temperatures encourage a longer ripening period that is essential for producing superior Riesling grapes. Made by renowned winemaker Louisa Rose, the Rieslings of Pewsey Vale have a distinct lime character together with florals and a touch of spice. When young they are vibrant and tight with upright acidity. As the wines age, they gain complexity with honeyed tones, but they are very long-lived, so patience is a must!
Quin Wines Eden Valley Shiraz
The nose has complex aromas of sarsaparilla, mulberries, tea leaf and fresh vanilla bean. There's a real smoky/gamey note to the fruits as well. The palate shows great tannin focus through the middle, flavours of red fruits and earth, with lovely intensity an a violet/lavender floral lift. Sitting at an altitude of 450m, Hampton Vineyard produces Shiraz with a surprising combination of finesse and power. Planted in 1982 this vineyard thrives on a silty, sandy-loam soil over red ironstone clay. The fruit was handled traditionally and matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak. Fruit was harvested in the cool of the morning and delivered to the winery where it was destemmed into an open top fermenter. After thirteen days on skins the wine was basket pressed before overnight settling and racking to seasoned French oak. Ten months maturation in oak before blending and bottling. Partners in crime and explorers at heart, Andrew and Skye Quin are the team behind Quin wines. Having travelled the world together, they finally settled in the Barossa, with a trailer of second-hand furniture and heads full of dreams. Andrew has spent the last 10 years as Chief Winemaker for Hentley Farm, during which time he has collected a swathe of awards and accolades. But 2018 saw the launch of his own brand: Quin Wines. His philosophy is simple - respect tradition, but continue to push boundaries. And that bigger is not always better!
Wittmann Estate Riesling
The Wittmanns and their ancestors have been wine-growers in southern Rheinhessen since 1663. Since 1990, the family has cultivated the vineyards according to controlled ecological guidelines, and since 2004, bio-dynamically. This Riesling has a fine aroma of yellow fruits and apple, clear, elegant structure and juicy freshness. Dry with a juicy acidity which harmonises with the typical earthy mineral tones; great finish.
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.