Tasted September 2008

Kate recently mentioned that Mount Horrocks winemaker Stephanie Toole is Riesling legend Jeffrey Grosset's wife, and makes all her wines at his winery. With that sort of expertise invoved, I thought it was time to revisit her Riesling, and where better to start than the unique Cordon Cut. An almost unique sweetie, made from vines in front of her cellar door which are slashed when the grapes are ripe so that the fruit dries out on the vine. The 2005 vintage of this wine was served at the Queen's 80th birthday party!

Check out their website at www.mounthorrocks.com

Grape: 100% Riesling

Region: Clare Valley, South Australia

Winemaking: Once the dried grapes are harvested, they are vinified and aged in stainless steel, and bottled quite young under screwcap.

ABV: 11%

Tasting Note
A classic sweet Riesling nose of lime and orange blossom, with petrol notes developping. The palate is rich yet balanced with superb acidity and a steely minerality which gives the whole thing structure. Pure, fresh orange zest character dominates, with lime returning in the background. Deliciously concentrated, this would match compiment a Tarte au Citron beautifully.

Cellaring
If you like them fruity and rich, drink now, or age for a petrolly, oily experience in 5 yeras time.

If you like this, why not try...Stephanie's dry Riesling from Clare Valley, or to stick to a sweet theme, sample the superb Domaine des Forges, Coteaux de Layon made with Chenin Blanc in the Loire valley.