Yalumba (Australia) ‘Y’ Series Riesling 2001
Yalumba winery make some of the best whites wines in Australia, and do so with remarkable consistency. They are almost solely responsible for convincing me that viognier can make world class fine wine in the southern hemisphere, and winemaker Louise Rose (see ‘meet the winemakers’ ) has proved her mastery of riesling with Pewsey Vale. This example, for a few pounds less than the Pewsey Vale riesling, is a deliciously easy-drinking wine, with abundent fruit on the nose suggesting limes, lemon zest and hinting at luscious tropical fruit. On the palate the smooth, rich texture gives a fine mouthfeel, and more of that waxy, rich lime fruit comes layered with hints of honey and pineapple. There’s a wonderfully taut clarity about this wine in the mouth, with pure fruit flavours and a balance of crisp grapefruit acidity, without straying into pithy, aggressive flavours. It is dry (or maybe just off-dry) and lingers on the palate with a lovely sense of precision. Brilliant summer drinking. Safeway 5.99.
