RICHMOND GROVE RIESLING - JOHN VICKERY + SCREWCAP = WINNER

In the late 1990’s Richmond Grove was one of the first producers to seal its Riesling under screw cap. With Riesling master and former Leo Buring winemaker John Vickery at the helm, it should be no surprise that there were some pretty smart Rieslings made under the Richmond Grove label.  The Richmond Grove Rieslings weren’t expensive, selling at around $10 per bottle by the case through the major liquor retailers. But the big question is how the wines would develop under screw cap.

According to the back label, use of the screw cap, in favour of cork, would ensure a cellaring life of up to 30 years. Some claim indeed, but on the evidence of this bottle of 1999 Richmond Grove Watervale Riesling, one can’t argue with it. 12 years on, the wine is perfectly fresh, with just a suggestion of development. It should comfortably make it to 25 years of age, provided one can keep one hands on the remaining few bottles!

1999 WATERVALE RIESLING
Producer: Richmond Grove
Variety: Riesling
Vintage: 1999
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia 
ABV: 12.0% 
Price: N/a  
Closure: Screw cap 
Format: 750ml 
Date tasted: 16 September 2011

Tasting Note:
Bright yellow with a greenish tinge. Very clean (clean as a whistle), fresh and lively on the nose. Typical Clare Valley Riesling notes of lemon and lime, with just a touch of kerosene suggesting some development. Relatively few signs of maturity on the palate, indeed there’s still a youthful ripple of petillance running through the wine. Shows like a 4-5 year old wine sealed under cork. A ringing endorsement of the Stelvin closure.
Score: 16.5+/20