2011 Frisk 2011 “Prickly” Riesling
89% Riesling, 11% Muscat Gordo
9.8% alcohol
Alpine and King Valleys, Victoria, Australia
Appearance/Color – Foamy beer-like head but only at edge, lightening color, small “frost” appearance in center. Color is pale lemon to green, diamonds, clear, sparkling, almost shiny in glass’ reflection. Swirling brings more effervescence, pleasant.
Aroma – Honey, lemon-limeade, unsalted butter, pear, white peach, blue cheese, juniper or mint?
Taste – Sparkling on tongue, like a well-made sugar-sweet apricot tart, low acid, green grapes, orange peel, honey, brie, flinty, exuberant mouthfeel.
Finish – Long, though low acidity the sparkling effervescent quality holds on.
Conclusion – Just coming from a Chinese dinner, this was perfect to cleanse my palate and make for a nice, light dessert. No fortune, or fortune cookie, required. Definitely a fun wine.
To me the word “prickly” brings up cactus, scary movies and pickles. I love the word on the label, don’t get me wrong, but if it brings up those connotations for you to think of it the way I do: “joyful”, “fresh”, “spirited”…
Full disclosure: Wine was not purchased but sent unsolicited for review.
http://www.oldbridgecellars.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=133&idproduct=713
From website:
It’s a mouth-revving Riesling with a bite that sings with mountain-stream purity. Its flavors dart all over, quartz-like acidity coming right at you, bold and unapologetic. You may see notes of lemon sorbet, bath salts and white lilies layered with spices from your favorite childhood pie shop…guess that depends on your childhood. But you can’t deny its raciness and versatility, sidling up suggestively to food that’s both sweet and spicy. Its intensity will slap you in the face…the oodles of length will have you scrambling for more. $11.99
About Old Bridge Cellars
In this age of ‘big company’ buyouts, increasing consolidation and mass production, Old Bridge Cellars brings you a group of Australian winemakers who retain their belief in artisan winemaking. Respecting the land and with minimal intervention in the winery, their wines remain true to the soils from which they come.
They share a fierce commitment to quality and a determination to preserve their independence and regional heritage. Many are the second, third and even fourth generations of their family to work the vineyards. It’s their intuitive understanding, quiet confidence and desire to produce only the best they can from each vintage that has made them Australian benchmarks, universally acclaimed by wine critics across the globe.
Founded in 1990, Old Bridge Cellars embraces the intense passion of these winemakers and remains one of only a few US importers dedicated solely to the best of regional Australia. Our knowledge of Australian wine runs deep and has been recognized in such publications as The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine and Spirits, International Wine Cellar and Wine Enthusiast. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate has gone so far as to say, “thanks in large part to the work of such talented importers as Old Bridge Cellars et al… American consumers have never had such an enormous selection of Australia’s finest as well as rarest wines.”
We see as our mission the promotion of Australia’s ‘real wines, ‘ championing those winemakers who give everything in their pursuit of truly distinctive, regionally defined styles that sit comfortably with the world’s best. And who believe they can do it even better again next vintage!
It’s an enlightening, exhilarating journey. Welcome aboard.
