A few highlights from yesterday’s Riesling Riot tasting

I’m regularly appalled at the poor attitude to trade wine tastings in Sydney, with crap turnouts and ‘no shows’ a constant issue.

But at yesterday’s Riesling Riot event, the volume of trade through the door seemed pretty healthy.

Maybe it was the promise of so much good Riesling in the one space? Maybe Riesling really is cool again (did it ever become uncool among somms/retailers)?

Whatever, this was a very high quality collection of wines. I didn’t get much time to taste, but so many highlights.

Here, were a few notables (in alphabetical order):

Bründlmayer Riesling Heiligenstein Lyra 2016

A superb Austrian wine. There’s an exotic juiciness to this, an opulence of ripeness, yet it’s not heavy, and underneath there is no shortage of acidity. It’s joyously full yet contained. Yum

Dönnhoff Felsentürmchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2016

Loved all the Dönnhoff wines, but this was a glorious standout. A masterpiece of carefully weighted power. Impossible to  fault the lively fruit and freshness – it’s just so precise. A wine to convince people why German Riesling is superb. Give me more.

Frankland Estate Alter Weg Riesling 2017

Frankland Estate’s barrel matured style and it looks a treat (all of the Frankland 17s did). There’s an extra level of textural fullness here – it’s no delicate wildflower – but the layers of flavour without sacrificing acidity make this a very satisfying wine.

Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling 2017

A classic Horrocks Riesling in a cooler year mode – there’s that trademark limey Watervale flavour, but with prominent acidity too. Controversially I liked this much more than the Grosset Springvale too (which looked a bit firm and phenolic for the moment).

Pewsey Valey The Contours 10 Year Museum Release Riesling 2007

Eden Valley Riesling in the prime years of maturity. Toast aplenty, the palate open and really generous, just brought back in by late acidity to finish. Ready to go now and delicious. Also, the new 1961 Block Riesling was there too and it’s bang on – a rather powerful Eden Valley Riesling built for the long haul. Further, I didn’t realise it but the Contours Block is certified biodynamic now, and all the Pewsey Riesling is wild fermented. Nice work all round.