A `96 Riesling this good from here..........nagh!!!!

Well forumites time to get the guessing mode on here!! At least you know the grape varietal so give it a shot. I will be around most of Wednesday so thinking caps on and lets wait for the Europeans to get up!!

Colour. Naturally a light gold but other bottles drunk much earlier had a pale straw colour. No original sparkle here anymore!

Nose. Still has the citrus/lime nose of a young riesling w. a touch of lanolin. Floral, minerally, apple and hint of gasolein. Amazing nose for the age!

Palate. Still has some elegance, good acid structure and nice layers of ripe fruit. Clean finish still and lingers. No bitterness or sign of oxidization at all.
Lime, apple and apricot on very good middle palate. Full finish at this elderly age surprises but I knew this was a keeper from other vintages. There is almost a hint of botyrtis here? (not a clue), all is held together by the acidity.

Probably paid around $18 Cdn in `99. I should explain my heading as many non-wine drinkers would think old!

So we need.......

Country.
Region.
Vineyard.
Producer.

Bob
Gasoline is a common theme in Aussie rieslings, so I'll plump for a South Australian.
Price is relatively cheap (though they couldn't give riesling away in '99 and prices are creeping up slowly).
I'll plump for a Orlando St Helga from Eden Valley
regards
Ian

Right country.
Eden Valley...nope.

Where are all the Riesling hounds today!!!?? This one is not going too well (grin and understatement).

Where are all the Riesling hounds today!!!?? This one is not going too well (grin and understatement).

Is that a trick question? I was drinking Riesling of course (TNs to follow). My knowledge of Aussie Riesling is negligible so I can't really start guessing... Sorry Bob.

My first thought last night was Australia, but I decided to sleep on it and come up with something more specific today. Glad to seen I was on the right track.

I'm thinking Clare Valley or Watervale. Now, since you asked for a vineyard I need someone who produces a single-vineyard Riesling. Don't know the producers well enough, so I'll have to take a shot in the dark:

Petaluma Hanlin Hill, Clare Valley

Not bad Andrew, wrong area. Believe it or not think Victoria and winery established in 1866.

My knowledge of Oz Riesling is pretty neglible. I like the Grosset Polish Hill, but it's at a higher price point I believe. No guess, sorry!

Not bad Andrew, wrong area. Believe it or not think Victoria and winery established in 1866.

Well, that's a big clue. How about Best's Concongella Vineyard?

Spot on Andrew, you are the winner (again). Most vintages from this winery are very good but avoid the 98 which was hit and miss for me.

Good try Dale and keep those wine food matchups acoming!

You're not drinking a Tahbilk Riesling from Victoria, Nagambie Lakes, are you, Bob? Didn't think they shipped that out of Australia.

Spot on Andrew, you are the winner (again). Most vintages from this winery are very good but avoid the 98 which was hit and miss for me.

Good try Dale and keep those wine food matchups acoming!

The date was a real giveaway. Otherwise, I would have guessed Seppelt, Mitchelton, and several others long before I ever came up with Best's. However, all of those was eliminated by looking at their websites.

Did you just want this one to be over?

LOL. Not a lot of interest in riesling here. Look for Davids `05 thread...pity so little forum interaction!! Riesling Rocks.

Had a pretty smart 1986 Chardonnay from Best's in December last year that was fresh as a daisy and looked like it could go another 5 or 6 years, no problem!

Just opened the `02 Wynn`s Coonawarra Reisling. First time I have ever had an Oz riesling that was a bomb like this. Was a gift, thank goodness, not my money!!! Seriously though, very little going for it. Easy to drink/consumme now style. Avoid.