Leasingham Classic Clare Watervale Riesling 2016

Orange blossom, kumquat and pools of cloudy apple juice. There is a hint of savoury mustard fruit and bronze fennel too. Marigold and big blocks of cut sandstone minerality. The palate circles back to its citrus heart with lashings of acidity countered by roast almonds and bee pollen. It’s at a crossroads in its drinking life, with preserved citrus and baked pastries and nuts lengthening the palate.  It feels nicely weighted in the middle palate and would sit comfortably beside a roast chook, roast parsnip and sweet potatoes. This is drinking well and would benefit from being drunk in a wide mouth glass to get the full effect. It will cellar further for another 5-8 years. But as far as the museum release wines go, I would opt for drinking this 2016 and relishing in its full body and flavour.

Shanteh Wale

Contributor at Wine Companion

Shanteh cut her teeth at Sydney’s Award-Winning Quay restaurant where she worked for over a decade and was Head Sommelier from 2018 till 2022. She has been nominated for the Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year award on three occasions and claims that her experience as a Len Evans scholar as one of the highlights of her career. Shanteh hosts her own weekly podcast ‘Over A Glass’ with the Deep in the Weeds Network and spends her time writing for various publications and judging at numerous wine shows across the country.

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