Clare Valley 11.5% Screwcap $35 Source: Retail
For fellow trainspotters – 15-16g/l RS, 8-9g/l TA, so we’re really only just in off-dry territory here. I had a bottle of this with a friend and we loved it. I’m not a Grosset acolyte…he’s too orthodox a Riesling maker for my tastes and his general philosophy on the grape bores me. Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy some of the Rizzas he makes. Anyway, I thought that I’d hit a winner here…balanced, focused, intense, pure, slightly interesting, slightly sweet, finishes dry and moreish. Would go really well with a lot of different food. What’s not to like?
Well, I’m not sure, but it’s yet to receive the universal (or at least national) acclaim that I expected. But I love it and think it shows that the Clare Valley can pull off the style well; something I was very unsure of.
It starts with citrus, moves towards melon and threatens to finish on spicy peach before limes, crackling acidity and minerality pull it back into line. Great length and thrust.
I love it. Wish it was cheaper though. RRP is $32.
Winery Website- http://www.grosset.com.au/
I like your tack here. A reward for a shift from orthodoxy. I don't think the wine is all that, and better examples are out there from Aus/NZ, but the shift is key – 'pull off the style well' sums it up.
'What's not to like'
Yes. Exactly. Still don't think it's better than the Grosset dry Rieslings. $28 a bottle from cellar door.
I'm fascinated to hear that he's doing riesling with more residual sugar; I've always been a fan of his wines, for better or worse, and I like 'em with a lot of age on them, but my #1 problem with Aussie riesling in general is that it really, really needs some residual sugar when it's old. I know there are probably a zillion reasons why I'm wrong, but that missing RS seems to be the only thing keeping a lot of Clare rieslings from becoming really profound when old.
I'd love to try this wine a decade from now.