WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Pewsey Vale Single Vineyard Estate Riesling 2016, Eden Valley, South Australia $18.99 | 91/100 UPC: 09311789000190
At 540 metres above sea level, the contoured Pewsey Vale Vineyard is a single vineyard site dedicated to a single variety, Riesling. The 2016 is particularly dry and clipped, showing a floral mix of dried herbs, white pepper and tight, fresh lime pith acidity. The finish is equally dry and stony with a touch of sea salt that calls for food. Great value.
Bartier Bros. Riesling 2015, Kamloops $19.49 | 88/100 UPC: 628055147183
The Bartier Riesling comes off the limestone studded Thadd Springs Vineyard in Kamloops. The nose is bright, with a whiff of sagebrush and fennel; the attack crisp and awash in citrusy, stony, mineral, fruit flavours with an attractive watery edge that makes it easy to gulp. Perfect balance suggests a long future is in the cards but why wait? This is delicious now. Winery direct.
Monte Creek Ranch Riesling 2016, British Columbia $11.99 | 89/100 UPC: 779000999071
Riesling is the highlight of the Monte Creek Ranch portfolio, boasting the most authenticity of flavour. Like last year, the fruit is streamlined with super bright white peach, yellow apple and lime pulp flavours with a dash of dried herbs. Intense lemon persists across a sharp clean crisp finish. Food friendly now, this will age comfortable another five years. Crazy good price. Well done.
Tantalus Riesling 2016, East Kelowna $19.91 | 90/100 UPC: 626990067412
The 2016 hails a return to an earlier streamlined form for the flagship Tantalus Riesling, one of B.C.’s cult wines. Confidently off-dry with ample pulpy lime, pear, tangerine blossom and a stony mineral cut. There’s a stream of juicy acidity that flows along a receptive palate to the bright, pithy finish. Well done. A serious bargain you can serve with just about anything you can imagine
Fort Berens Riesling 2016, Lillooet $18.40 | 88/100 UPC: 626990125686
Fort Berens produces two Rieslings: the regular, or classic, label is an easy sipping, off-dry white made from a blend of grapes grown in East Lillooet, Vernon and the Similkameen Valley. It’s fermented cold to produce the freshest style, as evidenced by its ripe red apples and perfumed pear blossom aromas and flavours held tight by a fresh twist of citrus twist. Tighter and brighter, this is a good match for the patio all summer.