Artis Wines Single Vineyard Riesling 2018
- 94
- $37.99
- Drink by: 2022-2030
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Most Aussie Rieslings are bone dry, a style very much appreciated by fans of the grape. There are, however, other options, as anyone who has ventured into the offerings from Germany, and even New Zealand, can attest. The man behind the Artis stable of wines, Andrew Miller, has taken some superb Eden Valley Riesling fruit and made it in that off-dry style. I am an immediate fan. From a contour vineyard planted back in 1972, only free run juice is used. Fermentation was in a mix of stainless steel and old French oak, the latter with wild yeasts. That parcel had fermentation stopped before reaching complete dryness.
The result is a wine which is fresh, but with a few years in the cellar before release, has picked up some developmental notes. Spices, citrus, florals, a hint of pear and some lemon meringue. Good focus, gentle acidity, fine balance and serious length. The touch of fruit sweetness fills out the palate and makes for a very appealing and food friendly wine. Delicious now, but will easily age and improve for another five to eight years. One to chase.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
