Dandelion Vineyards Wonderland of the Eden Valley Riesling 2021

Unfortunately, the first thing that many will notice about this wine is its price tag. Sixty bucks for a Riesling? Insanity. Well, not really. A wine of this quality is a steal for sixty bucks. To get this quality in a Chardonnay, you’d need to double the price and more. In a Pinot? Start adding zeros. Do not be put off by the price. The Wonderland of the Eden Valley vineyard was planted back in 1912. Hand harvesting took place in the last week of February. Whole bunches were destemmed and then to the presses without crushing. The free run juice was fermented in small tanks at between 11 and 14°C. Again, technically suitable for vegans. Again, why would you? 

A very pale lemon colour, the nose delves into spices, florals, minerals, wet stones and that flick of a character reminiscent of Iced VoVo biscuits that seems typical of the very best 2021s. Vibrant acidity and serious focus through to a juicy finish. Great length, this is a Riesling which will easily see out and improve for the next twenty years, in a good cellar. At which time, sixty bucks will seem like beads for Manhattan.