Eden Valley, Barossa Valley 12.5% Screwcap $23
I headed out to Morgans Seafood market at Scarborough earlier this week to celebrate my Uncle’s birthday. A good seafood market is heaven to me and I wanted to bring a Riesling worthy of the occasion. The 2007 Steingarten isn’t quite in its groove yet, I think it will shine in about two years and live for well over ten. Having said that it is just starting to open up a bit judging from this bottle and it is very enjoyable with good seafood, lemon and salt. I opted for pacific oysters and some beautifully fresh mirror dory myself. Although I did match the first glass with the beach & ocean, which is appropriately salty too.
Before I get to the tasting note it’s worth mentioning that the Steingarten Riesling is not technically an Eden Valley wine. The fence of the Steingarten vineyard is the border between the Eden and Barossa Valleys, and some of the fruit used is sourced from elsewhere in the Eden Valley. I believe Jacob’s Creek are moving towards making it a 100% single vineyard wine in the future. Whilst I’m not a single site fetishist, it would seem to me to be a positive move for a prestigious label. Will probably help sales too.
There was a bit of spritz in the glass which I quite fancy. Flavours were the usual suspects, lemons and lime but there was a touch of pleasantly broader tropical fruit on the mid palate. In no way did that harm the structure. Intensely mineral like, driven and defined with an immaculate finish that went on & on. Touch of chalk/must too. I had forgotten to take an adequate container to keep the bottle cold, but it was actually quite delicious even when only cool. Anyway, I think it’s a cracking wine and a monty for the cellar. If you don’t drink all your bottles now that is…
Winery Website- http://www.jacobscreek.com/