A riesling worth cellaring

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:37 pm

Over the past few years I've had a lot of trouble finding, at a reasonable price, a riesling worth cellaring. Consequently I have run out of aged rieslings but I have a lot of drink-now ones from trying different bottles. I want to start my aged rieslings again as I love them so much. So I need a reasonably priced current offering. Does anyone have any recommendations of which ones to try?
Thanks in advance
Kim

griff · Post by **griff** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:45 pm

Woops, I didn't see this when I started my reply in the Jacob's Creek thread. Must of posted after I started replying

Feel free to reply to my questions here though (which aged Rieslings have you liked in the past and which have you tried and have not performed for you).

cheers

Carl

winetastic · Post by **winetastic** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:22 pm

Leo Buring Leonay is widely available and ageworthy, looking forward to my 2005s maturing...

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:30 pm

Tim Adams 06 Reserve Riesling will cellar very, very well. I'm 24 now but have a six pack put away for my 40th... or beyond!

Similar money buys Grosset and Leonay and the other premium rieslings, but I reckon the Tim Adams stands out.

I don't think the 07 will last quite as long as the others, though.

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:40 pm

Try these:

Leo Buring
Grossett (although some don't support that)
Petaluma
Pikes
O'Leary Walker
Mt Horrocks
Crawford River
Orlando - St Helga, Steingarten
Clonakilla
Pewsey Vale
Frankland Estate

Also try some of the Kiwi's although be aware what you're buying, residual sugar si commen

Then look at some Germans. Start with the ones labeled Trocken or perhaps Feinherb, they should be the driest.

cheers

Andrew

JamieH · Post by **JamieH** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:12 pm

ditto Andrew! i always find the Polish Hill from Grosset to be the better keeper and watervale drink within 3-5 yrs, both are above $30 though. Some other good rieslings imo -
Peter Lehman Eden Valley $16-18
Heggies Eden $15 -$20
Wilson Polish Hill $20-$22
Pauletts $17-$20
Leasingham Bin 7 can't remember the price range but it sould be under $20

Cheers

Jamie

Waiters Friend · Post by **Waiters Friend** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:49 pm

Bugger!

Like Carl, I've already responded to the JC thread, before reading this. Seeing that you want us to name names, here goes, in addition to those already mentioned (mostly Great Southern, coz I'm from WA):

Plantagenet
Harewood Estate
Ferngrove 'Cossack'
Capel Vale 'Whispering Hill'
Howard Park

Enioy! Aged riesling is an under-rated style - I was going to say 'sadly underrated', but it keeps the prices down on some fabulous wine

cuttlefish · Post by **cuttlefish** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:05 pm

Not many Tasmanian ones been offered yet, so I'll say:

Freycinet

Also (not from Tasmania) the Best's Great Western Riesling can be highly ageworthy.

For serious ageworthiness, I can't see how O'Leary Walker would qualify, as the label hasn't been around that long. Not that they won't age, but they don't yet have the pedigree of say a Buring, or a Petaluma, or Pewsey Vale.

Daryl Douglas · Post by **Daryl Douglas** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:09 pm

Forest Hill Vineyard (Denmark WA/Great Southern)

Paullie · Post by **Paullie** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:35 pm

Howard Park
Grosset
Petaluma

dlo · Post by **dlo** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:08 am

Why hasn't anyone mentioned Seppelt Drumborg?

It's got the structure to last just as well or perhaps I should say "even better" than anything listed thus far.

Other less well known makers that are relatively inexpensive (most hereunder are 20 bucks or less) and have impressed for their quite statuesque structure suitable for medium/long ageing:
- Clos Clare
- Neagle Rock
- Stephen John (Clare)
- Castle Rock
- Plantagenet
- Forest Hill
- Clonakilla
- Delatite
- Freycinet
- The Wilson Vineyard
- Crawford River (a bit pricey, but worth getting)
- Frankland River (ditto)
- Gilberts (particularly the reserve - "exy" though)
- Alkoomi
- Richmond Grove (big volume and commercial but last well and always a bargain)
- Shaw Vineyard (Canberra)

I've purposely left out the more common, better known makers, many of whom have been listed earlier in this thread.

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:26 am

Wow, I didn't expect so much info and so many recommendations. I'll go thru the listings and make some purchases and let you know of results.
Thanks everyone for your help. I'm off and running...
Kim

bob parsons · Post by **bob parsons** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:03 am

As usual, great list from David L. Some even here in Alberta!!

Rawshack · Post by **Rawshack** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:47 pm

I had a Pewsey Vales Contours recently that was around 8 years old, and it had aged beautifully. Don't ask what vintage, I can't remember. Let's say it was a good one.

JamieH · Post by **JamieH** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:19 pm

DavidL,
i've never tryed an old Drumborg

, have you any notes?

Jamie

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:48 am

griff wrote:(which aged Rieslings have you liked in the past and which have you tried and have not performed for you).

Hi Carl
Over the past 40-odd years I've had many very good rieslings that have aged well. It's just that over the past few years I haven't found any bottle that I have considered worth cellaring even though I have tried about, I guess, 40 bottles. Very pleasant drinking but not what I would consider cellaring material. My age and reduced tasting ability may have something to do with it.
Looking at what I have just wriiten has made me consider that I'm being too picky and maybe I should try a couple of dozen different producers and see how they turn out.
I can always drink the ones not maturing well! *grin*
Kim

griff · Post by **griff** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:33 am

plummy wrote:
griff wrote:(which aged Rieslings have you liked in the past and which have you tried and have not performed for you).

Hi Carl
Over the past 40-odd years I've had many very good rieslings that have aged well. It's just that over the past few years I haven't found any bottle that I have considered worth cellaring even though I have tried about, I guess, 40 bottles. Very pleasant drinking but not what I would consider cellaring material. My age and reduced tasting ability may have something to do with it.
Looking at what I have just wriiten has made me consider that I'm being too picky and maybe I should try a couple of dozen different producers and see how they turn out.
I can always drink the ones not maturing well! *grin*
Kim

I didn't try rieslings such as the 70's Leo Burings upon release so I can't say whether they have changed or not. I agree that not all rieslings look like they can make old bones but most if not all the ones mentioned above have the potential.

One should say that it is best to take the vintage into account as well. Years such as 2002 and 2005 in the Clare and Eden valleys were classic cellaring years with many candidates for the cellar. Recent vintages have been more hit and miss and I would argue most are less suited for cellaring but they are due another good cellaring year shortly. Great Southern have had a string of decent vintages with both 2007 and 2008 looking good at this stage.

cheers

Carl

dlo · Post by **dlo** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:51 pm

JamieH wrote:DavidL,

I've never tried an old Drumborg , have you any notes?

Jamie

To the best of a failing memory, Drumborg Riesling has made quite sporadic appearances over the years (some years are so cold and wet, it's difficult to ripen the grapes to a level where it's even worth picking any) and the oldest I remember trying was the 1988, although I do recall enjoying the 1993 somewhat more in the first few years of the new millenium. The 1998 was gorgeously appley and very approachable with an underpinning "Alsatian" minerality at release. Unfortunately, within a few years under cork, the wine fell over big-time. The 1999 was held back at Great Western for some years. A steely, schisty, acid-rich wine in its youth, this wine has developed more quickly than I thought possible and is probably at the peak of its considerable powers, although it won't fall over in a hurry. I've got the 2003, 2004 and 2005 sitting in the cellar and tried a 2003 some months ago and it was still as tight as a fish's backside. Sorry I can't be of any more help with specific tasting notes of older vintages, Jamie.

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:15 pm

For what it is worth, I think Petaluma is variable especially in terms of cellaring. And with regard to the current 2008 Petaluma Riesling, I would look elsewhere for current and aged drinking. For example, if you want a Clare example to drink and cellar, the 2008 O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling is more complex in terms of structure and flavour for current drinking, and has more, finer and longer acid for aging.

Just another opinion though!

Adair

griff · Post by **griff** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:22 pm

Adair wrote:For what it is worth, I think Petaluma is variable especially in terms of cellaring. And with regard to the current 2008 Petaluma Riesling, I would look elsewhere for current and aged drinking. For example, if you want a Clare example to drink and cellar, the 2008 O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling is more complex in terms of structure and flavour for current drinking, and has more, finer and longer acid for aging.

Just another opinion though!

Adair

Make that two opinions. Was disappointed with the 08 Petaluma but the OW polish hill is superb!

cheers

Carl

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:11 am

griff wrote:
Adair wrote: ... if you want a Clare example to drink and cellar, the 2008 O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling is more complex in terms of structure and flavour for current drinking, and has more, finer and longer acid for aging.

Adair

Make that two opinions. Was disappointed with the 08 Petaluma but the OW polish hill is superb!

cheers

Carl

Thanks for the recommendation, guys. I purchased a bottle among the six rieslings I recently purchased but haven't got to taste it yet but will do so soon

Cheers
Kim

bob parsons · Post by **bob parsons** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:31 pm

Found some Alkoomi here in town today, cannot remember the vintage though. Will look again tomorrow. $21 Cdn.

Paullie · Post by **Paullie** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:02 pm

Opened a 2002 Pet. Hanlin Hill Riesling last night and it was fantastic.

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:07 am

Paullie wrote:Opened a 2002 Pet. Hanlin Hill Riesling last night and it was fantastic.

Yes, the 2002 is one great wine. Would you please tell me if your bottle was under cork or screwcap?

Thanks,
Adair

orpheus · Post by **orpheus** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:37 pm

Certainly I have had some lovely bottles of Drumborg riesling.

The other excellent one that I didn't see in this thread, in my cursory reading of it, is the Taylors St Andrews riesling.

rooman · Post by **rooman** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:24 pm

Adair wrote:
Paullie wrote:Opened a 2002 Pet. Hanlin Hill Riesling last night and it was fantastic.
Yes, the 2002 is one great wine. Would you please tell me if your bottle was under cork or screwcap?

Thanks,
Adair

Adair

I have both cork and screwcap 2002 Pet Hanlin in the cellar. Both have been fantastic. No noticeable variation so far. At the moment this really is the house riesling over summer.

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:12 pm

rooman wrote:
Adair wrote:
Paullie wrote:Opened a 2002 Pet. Hanlin Hill Riesling last night and it was fantastic.
Yes, the 2002 is one great wine. Would you please tell me if your bottle was under cork or screwcap?

Thanks,
Adair

Adair

I have both cork and screwcap 2002 Pet Hanlin in the cellar. Both have been fantastic. No noticeable variation so far. At the moment this really is the house riesling over summer.

Now this is really interesting. The oldest wine I have in both screwcap and cork in the cellar is 6 bottles of each closure in the 2001 Cullen DM CS, with each flat 6-pack tied to each other to ensure consistent cellaring between the two packs, but I will wait a fair bit longer to open my first examples of each.

The fact that you have found no noticeable variation between the two is wonderful, at least from a screwcap point of view.

My 2002 Petalumas are all under screwcap.

Thanks,
Adair

Paullie · Post by **Paullie** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:26 pm

Adair wrote:
Paullie wrote:Opened a 2002 Pet. Hanlin Hill Riesling last night and it was fantastic.
Yes, the 2002 is one great wine. Would you please tell me if your bottle was under cork or screwcap?

Thanks,
Adair

This particular one was screwcap, but I've had the same out of my cellar in cork, with no noticeable difference.