In 2018, Pete and Magali purchased the mature (established 1945), four-hectare, dry-grown Rostein Vineyard in Eden’s Flaxman Valley, planted to roughly one-third Riesling and two-thirds Shiraz. The soils are lean, degraded granitic sands, and the vineyard sits at 475 to 495 metres above sea level. Two parcels of organically managed Riesling give rise to two wines. The Rostein Riesling is made from the 1945 vines, and this cuvée is made from the 1956 section.
The fruit was hand-harvested at crazy-low yields for Riesling: a paltry 0.8 tonnes per acre. This year, the fruit spent two hours macerating before the press wine was fermented in used, 500-litre French oak; the free-run went to tank. In both cases, the wine spent four months on lees and went through partial malolactic conversion before blending.
In our opinion, this is one of Australia’s finest Rieslings, even if it is made in such small quantities that many will never have the chance to taste it. The 2022 has remarkable intensity, complexity and texture. Seductive aromas of white flowers, ripe citrus and a touch of sweet apple are matched by piercing acidity and a nip of phenolics that cut through the mouth-filling texture. It’s bright, super long and simply outstanding value.