The best surprises are cheap wines that shine like beacons
It was a tasting arranged by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine, guided by Peter Bourne at Luke Mangan’s Mojo in Sydney’s trendy Waterloo. The wines served were:
- 2013 Pewsey Vale Prima Riesling. Made in the Spaetlese (late-picked) style, therefore a little sweet, lovely integration and mouth feel, good on its own. 93 points. $22 at Dan M’s (online only)
- 2013 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling (the standard wine). Love this wine’s zest and life and fruit and drive, lovely line and length, ridiculous value. 94 points. $14.50 at Kemenys.
- 2013 Knappstein Handpicked Riesling. Clare. Third time I’ve seen this wine, and that flat spot at the end of the palate is still there. 91 points.
- 2013 Pikes Traditional Riesling. Polish Hill River. Third time I’ve seen this, and it’s still short. Nose full of limes and more on the tongue. 92 points.
- 2013 Skillogalee Riesling. Clare. Disappointing from the nose onward. Lacks fruit and lift on the palate, finish doesn’t leave you smiling. 86 points
- 2013 Leo Buring Dry Riesling Clare Valley. Benchmark Riesling serving up fresh, fragrant limes and interesting minerals. Wonderful restraint and tension, great length and purity, the finish goes on and on. 96 points. $15 at Winelistaustralia. Just over $15 at Dan M’s.
- 2013 Leo Buring Leonay Riesling DWQ 18. Watervale. Great concentration and intensity of fruit here, but a touch short and hard on the finsih. 93 points. $31 at Dan M’s.
- 2012 Paulett’s Antonina Riesling. Lovely clean wine with fine structure, lacks depth of flavour. 91 points.
- 2012 Jim Barry The Florita Riesling. This has all the flavour you can ask for, and depth. A smorgasbord. 95 points. $38 at Dan M’s (online only).
The Leo Buring surprised me for another reason: I haven’t been wowed by the wines under this label these last few years. Not much more to add except that we’re blessed with the unpopularity of Riesling (Andrew Mitchell).
Kim