Dandelion Vineyards Enchanted Garden of the Eden Valley Riesling 2021
- 93
- $27.50
- Drink by: 2021-2031
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This might be the broken record for 2021 but go long, very long, on Rieslings from this vintage, from both Eden Valley and the Clare Valley. You will not regret it. The first thing to know about Dandelion Vineyards is that founder, Zar Brooks, is from the Chester Osborn school of names and labels. No surprise as they worked together and it may have even been Zar which led Chester down that road. Zar Brooks is the Tolstoy in back labels.
A curious name, sure, but a special wine. The Enchanted Garden vineyard is seven acres in Eden Valley. Whole bunches were harvested by hand, before destemming, though no crushing, to fill the press. Free run juice was fermented in small tanks between 11 and 13°C. Zar notes that the wine is suitable for vegans.
Pale yellow with beautiful aromas. Lifted florals, bath salts, musk, lavender, spices and lovely lemony notes. If anything, perhaps a little forward but this is a Riesling aimed more at earlier drinking (it will still age and improve for 8-10 years) than the Wonderland of Eden Valley. The wine lingers beautifully and is excellent value.
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.
