AN ever-increasing proportion of Australia’s greatest rieslings are from the Great Southern, say the national wine reviews and show results.
The 2011 Ad Hoc Wallflower was among the best value under-$20 rieslings last year and the just released 2012, though slightly firmer and more classically styled, clearly fits into the same category.
This is lean, long, pure and crisp and has heaps of restrained fine, modern and classy riesling aromatics and flavours.
For a wine at well under $20 on special, this is not soft, fresh, fruity and commercially pleasing, this is a serious, high quality and long living riesling of great depth.
18.3 points RRP $19.95
With the long established Perth and Great Southern Hogan family providing the vineyards and the intuitive Martin Cooper providing the combination of his international and national wine making experiences, the ‘X’ labelled rieslings from Xabregas, after only two vintages, are clearly among Australia’s greatest.
Last year the 2010 Figtree ‘X’ Riesling proved to be one of Australia’s finest ever and from 2011, at least at this early stage, the Xabregas Spencer Road ‘X’ Riesling is the pick.
The classic European style and textures and the enormous length place this release among Australia’s 20 greatest rieslings ever.
18.8pts RRP $37
The 2011 vintage is already on the market but there are still some bottles of the exciting 2010 vintage on bottle shop shelves and restaurant wine lists.
At this stage in their lives, the 2010 is drinking far more satisfyingly.
The Fraser Gallop 2010 Cabernet Merlot shows absolutely delicious and satisfying Margaret River cabernet fruit, especially for a wine in this price range, safely encased in serious and expensive high quality oak and wine making inputs.
The 2010 Fraser Gallop Cabernet Merlot is seamless and wonderful drinking at the moment and it will develop marvellously until at least until 2020.
Question: Is there a better drinking Margaret River cabernet on the market at this price?
Answer: probably not.
18.2 pts RRP $22