Tasted in a blind bracket of eight Rieslings and showed its class. Not that blind tasting is everything. I prefer my assessment when I’ve had the chance to sit with a wine for two or three days myself. Still, it’s a technique that provides a different and worthwhile interpretation.
Very floral with jasmine to the fore. Lots of zest and energy. It pulsates across the palate with fresh lemon juice, lime zest and bath-salts. Hints of papaya and guava contribute complexity. Some band-width but ultimately it remains statuesque with spice and slate wrapping things up. Tom and Sam Barry are doing a fantastic job in a transition period for Jim Barry wines but that hasn’t resulted in the Clos Clare label being left behind. They should be proud. 94
Region: Clare Valley
Alcohol: 12.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $26
Tasted: September 2013
Not my cup of tea at all this wine. It’s like Jim Barry Watervale Riesling watered down with inferior material and tasting a bit unfinished and rushed really. Each to their own I suppose.
Who knows? I see Campbell Mattinson didn’t rate it highly whereas Jane Faulkner really liked it. I think, and it’s a position I’ve always held, that the always elusive notion of quality lies in discourse rather than anyone’s individual position. And in that respect it’s great to get responses from readers such a yourself. Of course if the notion of objective quality isn’t something one finds interesting then you save yourself a lot of time. You just drink it and say either ‘I like it’ or ‘I don’t like it’.
Cheers
J
I’m kind of keen to try this – I like a bit of controversy!
Your notes presses all the right buttons.
MC
Yes, I reckon it adds to the intrigue and fun – although perhaps not as much for the winemakers. On a related note Tom Barry took out GTwine’s Young Winemaker of the Year yesterday. I think he was an excellent choice.
How is that competition judged?? I would have thought that you would have to have actually made a wine to win it?
Curtis – I can’t give you details as to how the competition is judged but Tom is officially the chief winemaker at Jim Barry Wines. I recently tasted verticals of the Florita Riesling and the Armagh Shiraz and his philosophy and influence on those wines seemed clear. He is responsible for the Clos Clare Shiraz and Grenache while Tom and Sam make the above wine. I hope that helps.
Cheers
J