Rise Riesling Goodun’

Rise Watervale Riesling 2011 (Clare, SA)
11.5%, Screwcap, $20
Source: Sample
http://www.risevineyards.com

It’s been interesting (or I’ve found it interesting) to see how winemakers have handled the higher acidity of the 2011 South Australian vintage.  Many makers they haven’t handled it at all, producing hard, green wines that lack flesh (and drink poorly). The more adaptive/switched on producers though have realised that the year required wines to have more sweetness and juiciness to balance out said acidity (and have made good wines because of it).

That sweetness balance is evident here too, a flourish of limey generosity that, whilst not evident on the nose, rounds out the palate nicely. It’s a slightly unfriendly nose actually, all unripe citrus and not much else. But the lemon Solo sweetness of the palate more than makes up for it, cancelling out the jagged edged, vintage derived acidity to make for a sustainable good drink. Should look even better with age too. Good stuff. Well priced too. 17.7/92+