West Brook Marlborough Riesling 2002

[Skeeter]

Cracked this one last night... Just as good as I remember from the cellar door tasting. (As it should be... all hail the mighty Stelvin screwcap!) [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

From the tasting notes: "Off-dry wine with citrus, Granny Smith and honeysuckle aromas. Citrus and stone fruit flavours on the palate with a hint of honey and ginger."

I'm glad to say I DID note the honey, hiding in the background though it is. (The bottle states they should develop over the next few years. Might have to pick up another bottle and hide it away somewhere.) Nice and crisp, nice balanced acid and a spectacularly long finish. Makes my tastebuds do a Mexican Wave by the feel of it. Would probably be killer with seafood

Skeeters Tasting Notes Say: Excellente!

Availabilty: It's on Winesearcher for US$8.25. I paid NZ$17.95 from the cellar door. (For a wine awarded a gold medal at the Air NZ Wine Awards... there's a bargin for ya! )

Here's the bottle to gaze upon: http://www.tizwine.com/wineprofile$1354

[This message has been edited by Skeeter (edited 07-03-2003).]

[Thomas]

Skeeter, I am one of those who believe that most Riesling is consumed too young. That grape has such great aging potential. Get more; save a little of it for five years; watch what happens.

Incidentally, too bad you can't get NY Finger Lakes Rieslings out your way, to compare with the NZ stuff--both places do nice work with it (but of course, I am partial to the work with Riesling on this side of the planet).

[Skeeter]

As noted, I probably will pick up a bottle or two to hide away... I still have fond memories of a nicely aged Bimbadgen Reisling a few years back. (The '98, I believe) which made a great Thai meal even better.

On the other claw, I have no problems drinking them young, especially if they give me as much pleasure as this one is going to. Sure they might be even better in five years, but can I really be that patient?

I guess I'm firmly on the left in the Hedonists vs Horders debate. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[Thomas]

Don't get me wrong--I rarely lay down wine for long periods of time--I, too, cannot cotton to collecting, since I live from day to day.

But five years isn't too long to wait for what a Riesling becomes--you'll be well rewarded, so long as you remain around for five more years...

[Skeeter]

And believe me, I intendt to be around a hyeck of a lot longer than that! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[Skeeter]

Well, it wasn't five years, but I just un-capped the only extra bottle of this I ended up buying. (Hidden away a year... that's a near personal best for me!) 8 [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

The honey flavours had developed a little more, along with the first inkling of a kerosene-y nose. Still really long an d great with the smoked chicken lasagne I snacked on with it.

I glad I opened it sooner rather than later, though, as I seem to have gone from a riesling freak into a chardonnay/shiraz phase at this stage. This time next year? Beats me... but it'll be fun finding out. [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Almost makes me want to buy a bottle of the SW and cellar it just for ........NAW!ww [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]