Xabregas Artisan Riesling 2014

A worked, dry style Riesling fermented in neutral barrels on fine lees for texture. You can see the step-up over the standard Xabregas Mount Barker, with more texture equalling more interest.

Sherbet, lemongrass and lime, the candied peel fruit of 14 gives this a real sweetness of fruit (though its the driest of the ’14 Xabregas Riesling). Long, full flavoured, that slightly candied flavour is a distraction, though the mouthfeel and palate weight is excellent.

It’s a little blunt and full at the moment, but I think another few years should see things integrate more. I’d wait.

Details: 12.8%, Screwcap, $31
Tasted: June 2015 (sample)
Best drinking: 2016-2025+
Score: 17.5/20, 91/100+
Would I buy it? Not quite yet. Maybe next year.
Buy online: Xabregas website

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About me – Andrew Graham

At 18, I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, slogging through physics and chemistry, so a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say, I discovered wine, and my life evolved with a unique dual focus - wine and environment.

Twenty years later and I spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.

I now judge at wine shows around the world, sit on the Australian Wine List of the Year awards panel and was once a Wine Journalism Young Gun (but baby that was years ago).

Currently, I write features for a variety of publications including National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS, plus I'm a former Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert.

In 2019 and 2020 I was voted in the Top 30 Best Wine Critics in The World, and in my spare time, I'm a sucker for punishment and run trail ultra marathons, much to the delight of my long-suffering family. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here
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Xabregas Artisan Riesling 2014