Aussie rieslings pack zesty fruit and mineral notes

Riesling 2010, Yellow Label, Wolf Blass, Australia white, $17.20, SAQ # 11034097. My favourite Wolf Blass wine is a great entry-level riesling. Built along notes of citrus, hinting at tropical fruit, you get subtle mineral notes and great length on the finish. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2016. Foodpairing idea: apéritif, oysters, sushi. Riesling 2012, Eden Valley, Peter Lehmann, Australia white, $18.60, SAQ # 11465962. Better than the 2011, as it shows more tension. Dry, mineral, but not without a certain weight. Love the pure lime and other citrus notes. If you fear the sweetness of riesling, this is a place to start. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2016. Foodpairing idea: apéritif, raw oysters, salad with goat cheese. Riesling 2009, Eden Valley, B3 Wines, Australia white, $24.55, SAQ # 11034935. Great example of Eden Valley riesling. Just a hint of lemon/ lime on the attack, followed by the minerality — a mix of slate and other rocks. Great weight, with that wellwater-type viscosity. Completely dry. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2018. Foodpairing idea: apéritif, richer fish with cream sauce. Riesling 2010, Watervale, Clare Valley, Mount Horrocks, Australia white, $26.30, SAQ # 11465997. If the Germans have the fruit, and Alsace the complexity, Australia gets the nod for the best dry and steely rieslings. Fantastic example here. Almost Chablislike in its restraint, but with hidden richness. Mouth-coating, and then a final mineral bite. Perfectly balanced and extremely finessed. Bravo. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2020. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, lobster. Riesling 2012, Springvale, Mount Lofty Ranges, Grosset, Australia white, $38.25, SAQ # 11625081. Pure rock juice. The intensity here almost hurts. Lime, rock, lemon, rock. The persistence is remarkable. Dry as a bone, but so very drinkable. Great. Serve at 8 C. Drink now-2022. Foodpairing idea: apéritif, oysters, sushi. Riesling 2012, Polish Hill, Grosset, Australia white, $50, SAQ # 10956022. Maybe the best Polish Hill I have tasted. Incredibly intense and focused wine. It has everything: the florals, lime and lemon zest, as well as a solid mineral streak. Needs a few years for the full story to be told. If you are serious about riesling, stock a few of these away. Serve at 8-10 C. Drink now-2025. Food-pairing idea: apéritif, lobster.