Not that we can believe it, but we find ourselves heading towards the end of February, and thus we say goodbye to the last few days of summer. Some of those days of intense heat we won't miss, but the excuse to sip and sample bright expressive wines attuned to that weather we certainly will! We've decided, why not go out on a bit of a high this weekend, with a tasting showing a whole row of homegrown and international riesling! On top of that, we'll have the new 2024 whites and reds (plus a NV sparkling) from Tasmania's Two Tonne on pour come Friday afternoon
In all their releases and efforts, Two Tonne's wines have always inhabited that inimitable Tassie quality, whether in their Tamar Valley Riesling or Chardonnay, or their three Pinot Noir expressions from around the island's different regions. Join us anytime between 4:30 to 6:30pm tomorrow (Friday 21st) and get a good look at them, kicking off with their new Woodlawn Traditional Cuvée sparkling.
And on Saturday 22nd, come by between the usual 12 to 2pm, and journey through these rieslings coming from SA's Eden Valley and McLaren Vale, Henty in Victoria, WA's Mount Barker, Germany's Rheinhessen, Rheingau and Mosel, and finally Alsace. It'll be fascinating to compare all these different approaches to this iconic varietal - we hope to see you then!
Rieslings to Relish - Specials & Tasting
Saturday 22nd February
12 to 2pm
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Mesh Eden Valley Riesling 2024 -
$26 on special this week; $29 RRP
One of our favourite value whites for a number of years now - a love child creation formed by a collaboration between Robert Hill-Smith of Yalumba and Jeffrey Grosset of Grosset fame, and that pedigree shines through at a marvelous price point. Freshly squeezed lime and grapefruit are married with welcome natural acidity that lingers on and on. A perfect summer pairing for a fresh mixed green salad or shellfish dishes - Our Notes
d'Arenberg 'The Dry Dam' Riesling 2018 -
$28 on special this week; $32 RRP
We've noticed a huge rise in the demand for off-dry styles of riesling in the past year or so, and there are few others we push towards the interested palates in question than d'Arenberg's Dry Dam; a top showcase of the finely-tuned balance between the grape's classic high drive and tension, and the exotic fruits and oiliness that can emerge from a higher dosage and a bit of age. The sweetness is never overdone with this release, it always feels laser focused. Makes for perfect drinking with some spicy Asian cuisine - Our Notes
Wittmann 100 Hügel Trocken Riesling 2023 -
$28 on special this week; $32 RRP
"The fertile Rheinhessen hill country is our home. Here the vines grow on the sunny hills around Westhofen for our fresh, juicy varietal wines. Already in the fragrance it is reminiscent of fresh aromas of apple, grapefruit and mandarin, followed of yeasty notes and sea buckthorn. Elegant with a slight play of acidity and minerality, it is great on the palate Length and taste of yellow fruit. An indispensable Riesling for every day! Ideal with seasonal salads, young vegetables and white meat." - Winemaker Notes
Forest Hill Mount Barker Block 2 Riesling 2024 -
$29 on special this week; $33 RRP
// Gold Medal & 95 Points - Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2024
"Lifted aromas of white and red flowers, yellow peach and sweet citrus. The palate has a backbone of minerality and packed with citrus and fresh cut melon flavor. Juicy and softly textured, the palate has lovely balance with the fruit sweetness and natural acidity working harmoniously." - Winemaker Notes
Domaine Loew Muschelkalk Alsace Riesling 2022 -
$43 on special this week; $49 RRP
"This wine comes from a stony terroir of superior muschelkalk, facing due west. It is a set of three plots planted between 1967 and 2003 on a small hillside facing due west. The shallow soil is on a Muschelkalck bedrock. The 5500 vines per hectare never allow more than 55hl/ha to be produced. The organic certified estate harvests its grapes by hand and works with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation lasted all winter with aging on lees until spring. Its bouquet suggests lemon zest and lime cooked in sugar, standing out too for its flint. The pure expression of terroir and stone!" - Winemaker Notes
Crawford River Riesling 2024 -
$57 on special this week; $65 RRP
"From a block planted in '00/'01 on loam-dominant soils. A very bright green gold. Aromatic with classic citrus fruits together with some white peach, ripe pear, orange blossom and jasmine. Mouth-wateringly juicy and delicious with an underlying, fine vein of acidity. It's super now and will continue to be so for quite some time. Yum." - 95 Points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
"Flavourtown starring Riesling! This has width and depth, a sumptuousness yet the tickle of brine and crushed granite minerality feels stippled through the wine. The mainstays are cumquat, green apple, a touch of blackcurrant, even some laid back tropical fruit notes and a squeeze of mandarin. It has that kind of open weave deliciousness and gulpability that urges drinking. Great to see this somewhat jazzy and looser knit Riesling from this great producer. All in." - 94 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2022 375ml -
$57 on special this week; $65 RRP
"A very classic Auslese for the world famous Wehlener Sonnenuhr site. Succulent stone fruit character and a filigree acidity dance their way across your mouth. You feel the grape ripeness clearly on the front palate, but as the wine flows over the palate it becomes ever fresher, drier and more vibrant. Mouthwatering citrus and wet stone freshness at the finish. Drink or hold." - 95 Points, Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com
"Over 100-year-old vines and intensely steep vineyards come together at the famous Wehlener Sonnenuhr sundial vineyard. This Auslese is a selection of botrytis-infected grapes, offering richness and sweet lift. Rich grilled pineapple and smoky peach flavours accentuate the honeyed ginger aromatics. It's a gorgeous Auslese that will live on for years." - 93 Points, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
Georg Breuer Terra Montosa Rheingau Riesling 2021 -
$82 on special this week; $95 RRP
"The vineyards along the Rhine provide for ideal growing conditions. With its distinctive aromatic profile, delicate structure and tangy acidity Riesling produces not only the finest German wines, it earns world-wide recognition as well. Bright pale yellow, enticing aromas of yellow fruits, hay, wet stone and sweet spiciness. On the palate there is an impressive complexity paired with hints of tannin and strong acidity. A connection between concentration and lightness." - Winemaker Notes
Egon Müller Wiltinger Braune Kupp Riesling Kabinett 2021 -
$125 on special this week; $145 RRP
"A fruity-styled wine with a subtle nose of peach, citrusy fruits, herbs, and a hint of creaminess and apricot blossom. The wine proves incredibly playful and precise on the palate, where its creamy side is wrapped into beautiful acidic and fruity elements. The finish is simply stunningly pure, focused, and silky. A kick of acidity then provides the right freshness and elegance to the aftertaste. This Kabinett is a huge success! Drink 2029-2041." - 94 Points, Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines
"Very striking nose of tangerine with touches of orange blossom, fresh tarragon and mint. Juicy and vibrant on the surprisingly generous palate. Long, zesty finish with a touch of citrus pith character underlining the very animating acidity. Drink or hold." - 93 Points, Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com
Two Tonne - Specials & Tasting
Friday 21st February
4:30 to 6:30pm
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Woodlawn Traditional Cuvée NV - $39 on special
Tamar Valley Riesling 2024 - $28 on special ($32 RRP)
Tamar Valley Chardonnay 2024 - $32 on special ($36 RRP)
Tamar Valley Pinot Noir 2024 - $32 on special ($36 RRP)
Eastern Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 - $32 on special ($36 RRP)
Southern Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 - $32 on special ($36 RRP)