I’ve spoken often about the generosity of flavour evident in many of these 2012 Clare Valley Rieslings but this wine takes that to a new level. It’s a fruity little number with a really prominent tropical edge and plenty of fruit sweetness all hanging off a fine line of animated acidity.
Citrus and mineral characters are present but the tension is provided by their interaction with pineapple, honeydew melon and stonefruits. It’s persistent, yielding, spicy, slightly fleshy and well balanced. One thing it’s not is austere. I’m reliably informed that the residual sugar is only 3g/l though so true to the label, it is dry. Has won a swag of awards, gold medals and trophies but I’m going to be slightly more conservative in my rating. Just remember that the note matters more than the score. 93 Very Good – Excellent
Region: Clare Valley
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $22
Tasted: December 2012
Strongly suspect that the awards are because this wine is different, not better, and hence grabbed attention – happens often enough, sadly. All those tropical fruit characters kinda like a kiwi sav blanc with some citrus thrown in.
As a riesling I actually didn’t enjoy the wine and sounds like you suffered a similar difficulty.
PeterP – I must admit I was thrown by the tropical fruit but I actually really enjoyed the wine. I’m not of the belief that Australian Riesling need be all lime and lemons. Touch and go for 94 points. 93 was a very conservative option I reckon.
Cheers
J
I’ve noticed the tropical fruit in a few of the 2012s although more on the nose than the taste. Lychee is something I tend to pick up in some of them. I’ve tried about 8 of them in the past month. I don’t mind the fruit flavours and thought they were there in the O’Leary Walker Polish hill, which has been my favorite out of all the 2012 rieslings that I have tried so far.
Paul – yep, spot on I reckon. Quite a number display tropical edges and often moreso on the nose than the palate. Love the O’Leary Walker Polish Hill Riesling 2012; have layed some down in the cellar.
Cheers
J