Great Southern, Western Australia. Riesling. 11%. 20g/L of sugar. Screwcap (stelvin luxe). Approx $A40.I bought the book just prior to Christmas 2010 and have been dipping in and out for the last few months. It's a wonderful thing, the images are beautiful and words evocative and informative. I've just been reading the chapter on the Lewis Chessmen and I'm concerned that my Chess tactics are too gentle and lacking in terror and bloodlust. Alistair and I have now been playing chess by snail mail for over 4 months and neither of us has managed to draw blood. . .
The wine in question is $10 cheaper (than the book) and sadly nowhere near as good. It is enjoyable, refreshing and a fine example but still I'm only mildly impressed. Lime zest, mustard fruit, river stones and white pepper. It's bright and sappy but also slightly broad and attenuated and the resultant shape is not entirely flattering. Now - 2015.
Image: Even the bottles are sweating.
7 comments:
Last time I commented in the same way on a Frankland Estate Riesling Judy was not amused. I had a rep in next day swapping over the vintage in question (must have been 2005 or 2006)for a more recent one. It nearly costed my job! Be warned :)
I mean, yes, the wines are good, but often Australian Riesling gets a bit carried away by its success and command ambitious prices. You're right as a consumer to expect something really special for that money, especially with so many excellent offerings for around the 20 bucks.
Mo,
In light of that, hopefully your exile is a voluntary one!
I'm in two minds about this and other sweeter Aussie rieslings.
While I think it's wonderful that Aussie producers are exploring other interpretations and moving away from the bone dry model, some of the examples seem slightly unconvincing.
That's a good one Ed, never seen her again after that one 'incident'. My exile completely self-inflicted.
Sweet Riesling, IMHO it's a tightrope, something that works after a few years of experimentation, some vintages better than others, always finding that right sugar-acid balance, just a bit more or less and it all comes down and just doesn't work; nice but not great.
Really like this. Thought it was one of the few off-dry Aussies that work.
GW
The 'history of the world in 100 objects' podcast is great.
Ed
Fear not. I am certain, beyond any doubt, that the game is about to spring into life - any time in the next 6 months. ;-)
Alistair,
I've been playing computer chess and doing dismally (I promise I have not been setting up the pieces for tactical advice!). As such I can sense with a certain amount of foreboding, there will be bloodshed - but have a feeling it will be mainly my side that will feels the pain.
Did you know that in the Lewis Chessmen - the rooks were called Beserkers - after the most feared norwegian fighters. . .
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