An
off dry .... Waterton?
2008
Waterton Vineyards Late Picked Riesling
Made by Julian Alcorso this off dry riesling has preservatives
224 and 300 added. It has been clarified with milk products. The 750ml
bottle has 6.2 standard drinks and 10.6% alcohol
Other Waterton Rieslings have pronounced acid but this one
is more gentle. The acid is there but sits quietly in the background.
It smells spicy and has a hint of the fruit that you get when you drink
it. The nose is like a good movie trailer, it gives you an idea of what
to expect but doesn't give away the plot or use up all the good scenes.
The phrase "Late picked" on the label lets you know that you
are about to try an "off dry" riesling. Certainly there is a sweet
highlight but its controlled and adds to the citrus flavour rather than
being the fat kid doing bombs in the swimming pool.
All up this wine is like a well made lemon meringue pie but
not as sweet so you can enjoy it and still say "I'm sticking to the
weight watchers".
If you're interested you can order the wine through the
Waterton Vineyards website, it will set you back $23.50 a bottle.
From
the winepunter's cellar!
2005 Hoeyfield
Pinot Noir
Delving into the cellar we pulled out a bottle we purchased
from Hoeyfield Vineyard, which sits south of Hobart. We visited as part
of the Open Winery Weekend earlier in the year. This is a much
decorated wine so we had very high hopes for a very pleasant cellar
wine experience.
05 Hoeyfield
Pinot Noir
First the consumer stuff. This wine has preservative 224 added. The 750ml bottle has
8.2 standard drinks and 13.8% alcohol.
This pinot reminded us of a christmas present. It got off to
a great start with it's big cherry nose. "Good" you think "someone has
put a lot of effort in the wrapping".
Powering on it delivered a very impressive mouthfeel. "Oh
boy this present is just the right weight and size ... definately
looking good".
But then you swallow and you are handed a sour, grassy
finish. Remember the disappointment when opening that present to find
that you already have the CD, looked at the shirt in the shop and
didn't like it and that the trousers, while ok, are the wrong size.
05 Hoeyfield Pinot
Back label
To be fair to this pricey pinot the backend did improve out
of sight after a couple of hours but it still let down an otherwise
very slick and clean wine.
People who like a lighter style pinot may well enjoy it but
we reckon it needs an infusion of tannin .... stat!
What do you think? What's the best wine you have in your cellar?.