Waterton Hall Vineyard - the 08 and 09 rieslings head to head

We were so impressed by the 2008 Waterton Vineyards Shiraz that when Peter Cameron told us "we're really known for our rieslings" we went weak at the knees.

So are they any good?

2009 Waterton Vineyards Riesling

09 Waterton
Vineyards Riesling

Opening the bottle and taking a sniff resulted in a 'whoosh' of apple spice fair up the nostrils. 'Well hello!' Good first impressions are important as you know but what about the taste?

The riesling had come straight from our cellar which, during the winter, has the wine at around 13 degrees. This is baby bear chilling. Just right. The wine had all the characteristics of a 'properly good' riesling. A full lemon and apple taste with a nice acid highlight ending with a clean crisp finish.

Chilled this wine was pretty amazing. However, as it warmed to room temperature it actually got even better. The flavour stuck around, the acid highlight intensified and the finish got longer. This is like taking someone home when you're drunk and finding out they look even better in the morning!

So far so good ....

2008 Waterton Hall Vineyards Riesling

Being older you would expect some differences when compared to it's younger sibling and differences are exactly what you get.

The nose is pure citrus and rather than the 'foot in the door' whoosh of the 2009, it kind of seeps into the nostrils. What you're not quite prepared for is the acid. Bang! Right up front and in your face.

08 Waterton Hall
Vineyards Riesling

We liked it. Imagine being flashed by Mr or Miss Universe. Bit of a shock at first but then .....! However it is intense. In fact the buzz is a lot like the one you get from putting your tongue on the terminals of a 9V battery.  

But it's not just an acid trip. It also boasts a very tight lemon flavour with a clean dry finish. This is a real man's lemon sorbet. As one of the tasting team put it "the flavour is strong willed, almost arrogant". Ladies who like a bad boy will be tempted.

So, which one is best?

Peter Cameron is right, the rieslings from Waterton Hall are impressive and well worth the money (the 2008 is $23.50 from the cellar door and the 2009 is expected to be the same). It's just that they will appeal to very different people.

The 2009, which will be released soon, will be incredibly popular with those who like intense flavour with laid back acid. The 2008, on the other hand, really gets you talking and will appeal to 'thrill seekers' who need a more intense acidic experience. If you like the Glaetzer Dickson Uber Blanc then you will like this 08 riesling.

If you're the impatient type then pick the 2009. It gives you everything you want in a riesling without the wait. But the 2008 is the better candidate for your wine cellar. If you're prepared to invest some time you will reap the rewards in the not too distant future.

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