Grosset Springvale Riesling 2013

Description

The Springvale Vineyard is comprised of six hectares of a thirty two hectare estate owned property situated in the north eastern corner of the Clare Valley ™s Watervale sub region.

The thin topsoil is made up of red loams interspersed with shale over limestone. and the vines are deeply rooted in the slate bedrock. The soil is not worked and no fertiliser is used. Instead. a mix of natural and introduced grasses and clovers are allowed to grow and self seed in between the vines. Meanwhile. the rest of the property is being progressively returned to native vegetation. This promotes greater species diversity and strengthens both the sustainability of the site and its suitability for viticulture by facilitating natural pest control and disease management. Springvale is an ACO certified organic vineyard. The relatively close planted vines (2.500/hectare) are hand tended with the shoots positioned vertically. The shoot and bunch density of each vine is closely monitored and the vines are trimmed manually whenever necessary.

Planted entirely to three clones of riesling (two German and one of local origin) and with a high exposure to sunlight. the sturdy vines produce compact yellow green bunches of moderate sized berries. Hand harvesting ensures the delivery of the fruit in pristine condition. After de stemming. the berries are split and only the free run (first cut) juice is used. This results in each vine producing an average of two and a half bottles of wine.

Parcels of fruit are fermented separately. depending on clone and vine age. in inert containers (i.e no oak) to ensure a purity of fruit expression. Later. the various ferments are assessed and the final blend assembled. No finings are ever employed.

The resulting wine is the very best expression of a typical Watervale riesling. Generous and lime driven. the prevalence of the limestone in the vineyard is apparent in the vines ™ growth. yet a backbone of minerality has become more noticeable in recent vintages suggesting an increasing influence of deep shale and slate as the vines mature. producing a unique. site specific wine profile.

The 2013 Grosset Springvale Riesling shows some lime zest and lime blossom aromatics but there ™s more restraint than usual. almost a shyness. The palate has intense lime juice flavour. a hint of lemon and more pronounced savoury minerality. schisty. shaley character than previous years. It ™s tight. yet finely structured. with a taut. crisp. chalky minerality adding length to the ultra dry finish. While this may be difficult to confirm. these intriguing qualities could be a reflection of the vines maturing. and the roots reaching the shale and slate below the limestone. This is an increasingly complex and serious riesling.

17+/20 points. Jancis Robinson www.jancisrobinson.com 4 December 2013

Smooth yet sharp “ like scissors through silk. Apple and lime with concentration but without forcefulness. A balancing act. Lovely leafy purity. Drink 2014 2019.

94 points. Tyson Stelzer ˜Wine Taste Weekly ™ Edition 132 30 November 2013

Grosset has handled the season with his signature sensitivity. and its inherent structure does nothing to interrupt the clean acid line. persistent fruit focus and pronounced. fine. mineral structure of his Springvale. Pristine and focused. it captures the most delicate lemon blossoms. exact lime zest and granny smith apple fruit. Drink 2013 2015 OR 2018 2023.

95 points. Jeremy Oliver WineGenius.com October 2013

Though the 2012 vintage was touted as one of Grosset ™s best. it looks as though 2013 will be equally impressive. More textural than recent Springvales with white flowers. lime concentrate and wet slate. Seriously powerful. but never oppressive. chalky. zesty and finely balanced. Drink 2013 2021.

RRP $43