Plantagenet, Great Southern Riesling 2014
Country: Australia Region: Western Australia Vintage: 2014
Varietal: Riesling Category: White Wine Color: White
Producer: Plantagenet
"Plantagenet was the first winery in the Great Southern region and produces some of Western Australia's most classically elegant wines. Their first plantings were in the late 60s and the first vintage was in 1974. The Plantagenet winery is located in the Mount Barker township, a sub-district of the Great Southern region. The proximity of Plantagenet's vineyards to the cool Southern Ocean ensures slow ripening, which in turn enhances the aromatic qualities of the grapes.
Plantagenet takes its name not only from its home, but also from its heritage. In 1968, English migrant Tony Smith, himself a descendent of the Plantagenets, invested his small inheritance in a farm called Bouverie in Western Australia's Plantagenet Shire. Today, Plantagenet's five vineyards of 126 hectares are located to the south and west of Mount Barker on gravelly loam soils over a base of clay, sand or ironstone rock.
Their Riesling is one of Australia's most highly regarded, just as their spicy and elegant Shiraz continues to garner accolades both domestically and internationally. Their Riesling also ages beautifully whilst the Chardonnay is complex and very well balanced.
Chris Murtha was recently appointed Chief Winemaker at Plantagenet Wines, having joined the winemaking team in 2012. ""My absolute focus is to produce wines that speak of the Great Southern region. Classic cool climate wines that are finely structured and intensely aromatic, refined and complex while retaining fruit purity and brightness"", says Chris."
Product Features: Sustainable
Winemaker: Cath Oates
Vineyards:
Fruit was sourced mostly from the Wyjup vineyard, planted in 1970, with smaller portions from the Hayview and Richards vineyards, all growing around Mt Barker in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. All vineyards share similar management methods of vertical shoot positioning, shoot removal and moderate crop exposure.
Vinification:
A number of batches were harvested to provide a range of characters to enhance complexity. The grapes were harvested cold at night with just the free run juice and first pressings kept. The crystal clear juice was racked off the lees, inoculated with a neutral yeast strain, fermented cold (10-14°C) and gently cleaned up post ferment. Winemaking was kept simple, with minimal, gentle handling, respectful of preserving the fruit and vineyard qualities as much as possible.
Tasting Notes:
This is a great Riesling vintage with incredible concentration and typicity of fruit. Intense, lifted aromas of ripe limes lead to a palate that is very focused and pure, with spicy citrus flavours and a long mineral finish. A well managed dry extract adds a textural dimension to the wine adding to its depth and complexity.
Food Suggestion: Serve with seafood salads or a fragrant Thai green curry.
Closure: Stelvin ABV:12%
