The vineyards high altitude location and unique geology has resulted in distinct characteristics that develop further with ageing in this splendid Riesling. Aromas of rose petal and gentle spice matched with striking citrus and ripe grape flavours will delight you when you take a sniff and a sip of this wine. You can also note delicate hints of rose petals and cloves that will develop into classic toast and honey characteristics after cellaring. Match this wine with tuna, salmon, chicken and Asian dishes to have a satisfying meal.

Exceptional ripening conditions for white wines with a consistent flavour development and a natural acid balance. Floral, citrus, apple with lychee aromas lead into a complex but generous mid palate which finishes long and crisp. Grilled snapper and Asian cuisine.

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.

Pale straw with green hues. A delicate, bouquet of lime and tropical fruits, with hints of green apple, citrus blossom and talc. Fresh and lively, lime and Granny Smith apples tantalise the taste buds, with a zingy, zesty mouth feel and great balance. The site where the Langmeil winery now sits was originally settled by Blacksmith Christian Auricht way back in 1842. Christian went on to establish a bakery, smithy, a butcher's shop and a cobbler as well as planting a 1 hectare vineyard on the estate. This vineyard, still in use today, has been called the Freedom 1843 block and is believed to be one of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in the world. Flash forward 160+ years and the Langmeil winery and vineyard is back in family hands, with Carl Lindner, Richard Lindner and Chris Bitter now owning this historic Barossan estate. Like many Barossan estates with a bent for traditional full bodied reds, Langmeil prefers open fermenters and basket presses, utilising these fabulously archaic methods for over half its grape intake of approximately 1000 tonnes. In a similar vein, the wines are only minimally handled and minimally filtered before bottling in an attempt to preserve natural flavour and complexity.

Biodynamic. Théo Riesling comes exclusively from the monopole Le Clos des Capucins—a vineyard that takes its name from the Capuchin friars who arrived in the area in 1619—at the base of the celebrated Schlossberg hill. The clos is well protected from winds by the surrounding hills and walls. The soils are sand, alluvial pebbles and granitic gravel. The low-cropping vines typically offer up a supple and pithy Riesling that is wonderfully accessible when young—a reflection of these sandy soils. As with all Weinbach dry Rieslings, this was pressed as whole bunches, fermented without any yeast additions, and matured in very old oak casks for, in this case, 10 months.

Biodynamic. Primarily responsible for the Weinbach we know today, Catherine Faller’s mother, Colette Faller, was one of the legends of Alsatian wine. Sadly, Madame Faller passed away in early 2015 and, like her daughter Laurence and husband Théo before her, is now immortalised by a wine bearing her name. This cuvée comes from 50- to 60-year-old vines in the Bonnes Terres terroir, lower down on the Schlossberg slope, where the soils are deeper and sandier. The fruit here tends to be picked a touch later. Accordingly, the register of flavours is more intense, running from white flowers to tropical fruits and citrus fruit zest. The wine’s power is balanced by great freshness and verve. Even though it comes entirely from Schlossberg, some of the vines fall outside the Grand Cru boundary, so it cannot be labelled as such. The domaine has applied for Premier Cru status. But no matter, it offers Grand Cru quality in the glass. This gorgeous dry Riesling was raised for 11 months in old oak casks and bottled unfiltered.

Zesty and driven, the fresh citrus fruit is lifted by perfumed delicate florals and struck flint. A zip of acidity on the palate balances well the generosity of fruit, with a long and textured finish. Drink cold on a hot day for maximum refreshment or, if you have the patience, squirrel a few away to be rewarded over the next 5-10 years.