Reviewed: 8 December 2011
You get what you pay for – well most of the time anyway.
This was a fascinating tasting. Firstly, the Yalumba range (Heggies, Pewsey vale, Yalumba) and the O’leary Walker range demonstrated that the good things in life cost a little more. All wines in both ranges were very good, it is just that the more prestigious wines, (read more expensive) turned out to be the ones the panel preferred. (Tasted blind of course).
There is always the exception to prove any rule and this came in the form of the Angove – Butterfly Ridge. This is a delicious, well made wine that has a RRP of $7.00 per bottle. The panel loved it blind and were in a state of shock when the wine was revealed. Superb!
Reviewed
Peter Lehmann – Riesling – The Wigan – 2005 (18.5). More obvious development here. This is starting to get hints of oiliness that I associate with aged riesling. (But not kerosene, for which I am thankful). Fresh as a daisy in the mouth, this has started to show the first signs of development. Long and succulent, this is just starting to approach its drinking window. As one panellist said…”Oh Yeah Baby”.
Heggies – Riesling – 2011 (18). Austere and steely to start, the palate is bursting with fresh citrus that is a combination of lemon and lime juice. The length is remarkable and the palate is near seamless. A really smart wine with pure fruit handled well. Will take years to be at its best.
Howard Park – Riesling – 2011 (18). Subdued nose, but the palate packs a punch. This is full of zest, minerals and steely acidity. Impressive attack and persistence in the mouth. Good length too. Needs a few years to properly express itself.
O’Leary Walker – Riesling – Polish Hill – 2011 (17.8). Lovely blend of more structured, steely notes and aromatic, floral notes. The palate is vibrant and fresh, though there is a degree of restraint that makes this approachable now. Given time though, this will be a star. Lighter and finer, with a marvellous finish and aftertaste.
Swinney – Riesling – Ingenue – 2011 (17.8). This is good!. Floral notes on the nose lead on to a focused and precise palate. The vibrant acidity is offset by quality fruit, making for a long and balanced wine with good mouth-feel. This will develop very well and was one of my favourites for the tasting.
Koonowla – Riesling – The Ringmaster – 2011 (17.7). Fresh soap aromas lead off the nose. Lovely floral fruit on the palate, with zesty acidity bursting out of the fruit. This has quite a structured palate, the length is good and there are curious almond meal flavours to close. I would like to see this again in a year or two.
Angove – Riesling/Gewürztraminer – Butterfly Ridge – 2011 (17.5+). Lovely nose with rose petal and floral perfume. Bright and zesty, this is very attractive. Excellent length and the touch of residual sugar is balanced by refined acidity, making this a joy to drink. The + is for another reviewer who almost gave this a gold medal!
Greywacke – Riesling – 2010 (17.5). Curry leaf minerality to open on the nose with a hint of cumquat. Wow, this has a lovely, complex palate, There is a touch of residual sugar and superb acid that makes it an absolute delight to drink.
Yalumba – Riesling – Pewsey Vale – 2010(17.5).
Grant Burge – Pinot Gris – East Argyle – 2011 (17). Pretty, floral nose, with some mineral notes underneath. Textured and a touch viscous, there are hints of phenolics too, though this is nicely judged. There is plenty of acid to freshen up the finish. Good summer drinking. (This made it in to the line-up by accident).
Swinney – Riesling – Ingenue – 2010 (17). Lovely flowery nose. The palate explodes with flavour and, again, the residual sugar is framed by the refreshing acidity. Not overly complex, but totally enjoyable. Crying out for a warm summer’s day.
Wirra Wirra – Riesling – The Lost Watch – 2011 (17). Fine, with gentle talcum powder notes on the nose. The palate is fine and refined too. This is a very delicate wine of real class. Lacks the ultimate length of the best, but a good effort. Builds in the mouth.
Yalumba – Riesling – Y series – 2010 (16.9). Now this is good value. Fine, refined, elegant and very long. This has plenty of potential, but give it some air for it to blossom.
O’Leary Walker – Riesling – Watervale – 2011 (16.5). Closed/subdued on the nose, plenty of limey acid on the palate. Refreshing, this should flesh out in the short to medium term.