2019 Riesling
Murrumbateman’s cool, continental climate and decomposed granite soils are perfectly suited to Riesling.
The weather leading up to vintage 2019 was marked by lower than average rainfall in winter and spring. Things were just starting to look seriously dry when two rain events in January came to our rescue, delivering 110 mm between them. The grapes were picked in perfect condition and full of intense flavour.
Drink now for its razor fine floral, citrus-edged fruit or cellar for up to 15 years and watch it develop lime and toast characters with age.
– Tim Kirk
12% Alc/Vol
pH 3.03
TA 7.1 g/L
Residual sugar 4.3 g/L
Sulfur Dioxide (free) 23 mg/L
Canberra Riesling can be a very fine thing.
Intensity of flavour here is excellent. As is the flow of the wine. As is the finish.
It’s super
There’s a suggestion of fruit sweetness to the mid palate here and it helps to kick it all up a gear.
It’s limey and slatey and red apple-y, and it does that delicate-but-intense thing. It’s super.
Light yellow hue, with a gently toasty bees-waxy aroma, underneath is lemon pith.
delicate and delicious
The palate is restrained and taut, delicate and undeveloped, with a phenolic textural element and a tickle of sweetness rendering it more accessible.
Juicy and firm, at the same moment. A lovely array of citrus flavours. This is delicate and delicious and deserves a little cellar time. It will only improve further with age.
Clonakilla’s fame rests largely on outstanding shiraz-based red wines, some of Australia’s very best, but the estate’s riesling is superb too. The 2019 has just arrived and it’s a worthy example.
Pale and silvery-straw in colour, it has a pungent nose reminiscent of blossom, citrus fruits, green apples, spice and steel.
a thrilling line of acidity and a haunting, fragrant aftertaste
It tastes zesty yet relatively ripe and rich, and although quite dry overall, its intense flavours hint at a little fruit sweetness.
It finishes with a thrilling line of acidity and a haunting, fragrant aftertaste. Past experience tells us that these wines age very well, developing into classics of the Australian new wave.