One of the great joys in wine is drinking mature rieslings, and this one is excellent, really only just beginning its journey. It still has some primary fruit, but it’s starting to develop those slightly toasty lime characters that become so appealing with mature rieslings. It retains good primary fruit characters on the palate, and the fine, persistent acidity will ensure it continues to evolve over the next few years. An excellent example of an older riesling, with plenty of life still in the tank.
95 POINTS
Jeni Port - Winepilot
Six years old and still in youthful flight, how amazing is aged Riesling? Time spent in the cellar in which it was born is always preferable in capturing the integrity and quality of a well-aged Riesling. There is no better place, which is why everything remains so fresh in this little beauty of a Riesling. Highly aromatic aromas, rich and detailed, in jasmine, honeysuckle, lemon balm, lemon drop confection, a splash of herbal Thai basil, grapefruit, lime, pear. Yes, it’s pretty complex. It’s also tightly focused in the acidity department with a firm, steely backbone well in place. There is plenty of room for further ageing with this wine, it is remarkably youthful with a core of citrus, baked apple, spice and pear and sweet herbals, but little sign as yet of secondary development such as notes of honey and toast. An attractive lemon cream texture runs the length of the wine – a lovely feature. Still has time on its side.
95 POINTS
James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion
Made in identical fashion to the Mount Barker. Has that edge of elegance that is particular to Porongurup, and will retain that through its journey to full maturity 10 years hence.
94 POINTS
James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion
Settled bright, free-run juice given a long, cold ferment. First class wine. Layers of flavour before a long, fresh finish.
This offers aromas of pure lime and mineral with a lemon edge, too. The palate has a fresh and flavorful entry and unfurls bright, zesty fruit flavors in the lemon and lime zone. Bright acidity on the finish.
A very intense, fullish style for the region with abundant aromas and flavors of ripe limes, lemons, dried pineapple and mangoes. A fresh stream of acidity aligns the finish neatly.
93 POINTS
Cassandra Charlick - Winepilot
If only more producers would release their aged Rieslings via a museum program like Jeff Burch has done since 1986. It’s such a delight to see this wine on the table, and to have an opportunity to talk about what delights come to those who wait even just for six years before cracking the bottle. Unlike the current release, this is 100% Mount Barker fruit. Mid gold in colour, with all shades of nuttiness, brine, lime pith and ripe honied nectar on the nose. There’s a hint of petrol too, in just the right quantity. On the palate this is fresh as a daisy and still promises so much more with time in the cellar if desired. The acidity will hold on for years longer, and the fruit is fine, shifting towards notes of quince, yellow nectarine and Meyer lemon, a little puff of mixed spice and a crisp crunched graphite, chalky minerality on the finish. It’s still long and lean, as per the current release, but there’s a fleshiness in the middle of the palate that age has brought on. Age does the same to us all, doesn’t it?
93 POINTS
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front
Grown on two of the oldest vineyards in the Porongurup sub-region.
Lively aromatics, excellent intensity of flavour, length and an overall impression of elegance. This is right in the zone. Citrus and rocks, blossoms and blackcurrant bud. Lovely. Now or later.