TN: `05 Grosset Watervale Riesling.

[bob parsons]

So here we go forumites, my tasting notes on the hot item coming out of Clare Valley and Mr. Grosset!

TN: `05 Grosset Watervale Riesling, Mount Lofty Ranges South Australia.


13% alc, SC, $24 Cdn (discount), opened one hour and served quite chilled. Very well known riesling, rated high by those-in-the-know.

Color. Light lemon yellow, some might think deep straw maybe?

Nose. Very aromatic, no gasolein, some lime, quite floral, very appealing for sure with more mineral tones on day 2.

Palate. Initial entry thought was very dry, almost bracing, no tropical fruit salad here folks, long minerally finish. Starts to strut its stuff after 30 mins in the glass, reminds me of an Alsacian-style from Schleret. "Slate, no spice or pepper" from across the table. I find lemon and unripe BC pear here, needed some food to match the acidity level. Quite austere, even on second day but very much the classic wine I had expected.

**** Did I drink this too young?

[rooman]

Bob

I have several of these tucked away and I very much doubt I will open one inside the next 5-7 years. I have just tried one of the 02 and even that was far too early. The 97 on the other hand (when the bottle is not stuffed due to massive cork variations) is awesome. If I had any doubts your note definitely confirmed that.

Mark

[bob parsons]

Mark, or anyone, how will this type of dry Riesling change after extended time in the cellar? We all know the evolvement of the sweeter German wines so I am keen to find out how these drier wines mature.

[Wayno]

hmmm... petrol would be a start...

[rooman]

Bob

It is not dissimilar to dry German rieslings. In their youth the colour tends to be almost pale green with piercing acidity and minimal fruit. At around the 10 year mark, the colour will take on a deep golden hue. The acid on the back palate will wind back and the mid palate will flesh out with more pronounced depth and fruit. It is the additional depth of flavour I look for when cellaring decent Australian rieslings. So far 12 years is the oldest Aus rieslings I have tried (Grosset Polish Hill) which were just superb. But I could easily see them going another few years. I would be interested to try some out around 20 years.

Mark

[Thommo]

I had my last bottle of 2000 Penfolds Reserve Bin Aged Release Eden Valley Riesling last night (12%alc, cork closure). It was a coppery-bronze colour (quite a few shades darker than the last bottle I had 6 months ago), and my hopes were not high. Quite subdued on the nose with grapefruit, burnt orange rind and faint wet quartz aroma but none of the waxy floral notes that I love left. A touch of petrol came out with breathing too. Palate was simple and subdued also, with the grapefruit and caramalised orange the main players, but still holding onto enough acidity to carry those flavours through to a good length. It was definitely past its peak, with all the high notes and complexities of it's younger incarnation gone, but was still delicious and luxurious in its own right.

[smithy]

Had the 08 Polish Hill Sat night.
Unbelievabley good. Bought it in 08, have a doz of the 09 PH and the princess just said she has the 10 Watervale and Polish Hill coming.
A big Monty Burns..."excellllllent!"

[n4sir]

**** Did I drink this too young?

Five years from vintage would probably be a bad time to be approaching a top Clare riesling under screwcap (assuming it's cellared in ideal conditions from release). Normally they drink very well for around a year from vintage (for exceptional vintages like 2002 & 2009 this would stretch out to about two years) and then shut down and shouldn't be approached for another six or so years.

The old rule of thumb under cork used to be drink them on release, and when they lose that freshness after six months or so wait for 3-4 years for them to come out of their funk. Under screwcap, these windows have stretched out, although personally I think the severity of them shutting down isn't quite as bad.

Cheers,
Ian

[bob parsons]

Thanks for all the insight. I have found one more `05...and I have a bottle of the `07 Springvale as well!!

[rooman]

Thanks for all the insight. I have found one more `05...and I have a bottle of the `07 Springvale as well!!

Bob

Do yourself a favour and let each of them get 10 years in bottle before opening them.

Mark