Best’s Riesling

Best’s Great Western Riesling 2012 (Great Western, Grampians, Vic)
13%, Screwcap, $25
Source: Sample
www.bestwines.com

According to Justin Purser, the new Best’s winemaker, this 2012 wine is ‘slightly riper than expected’. Personally I think this looks all the better for it too, that extra ripeness working wonders for the length and power. Interestingly I’m not alone on preferring slightly riper, drier Best’s Rieslings either – former Best’s winemaker Simon Clayfield confided a year or so ago that he felt the same.

Wonderfully full nose on this – it looks muscular, powerful and weighty, even a little Grosset-esque in that latent power. There is a real citrussy tang to the palate which is longer, warmer and perhaps a little more forward than it has been in some time. That mid palate is seriously firm and rich, the acidity less soft and more burly. I like this very much, it drinks well now and I think has the power to drink well later too.

Drink: 2012-2022
Score: 18/20 93/100
Would I buy it? Yes