Robert Stein Half Dry Riesling RS15 2022

There is a pleasing trend whereby we are seeing some emerging Rieslings offering various degrees of sweetness – as they often did many years ago. Not necessarily botrytis-level stuff, but sometimes, just a hint to help fill out the palate and offer a delightful point of difference. In addition, they tend to have the ability to age surprisingly well. ‘Half Dry’ is a nice way to put it. The fruit here came from the Angullong Vineyard at Millthorpe near Orange in NSW. A slow and cool ferment which was stopped when the residual sweetness sat at 15 grams/litre. The wine spent a further four months in tank on lees, with occasional stirring, the intention being to enhance the texture.

A very pale, near dilute yellow. Lovely aromas here, attractive lemony notes, florals, orange rind and even a touch of a baked lemon meringue character (does one bake meringues?). Good balance and impressive length, and it sure does have that seductive texture. Well cellared bottles will age easily for a decade or more. This would be ideal for enjoying over summer with a bowl of fresh berries but be in no hurry.