Skillogalee Clare Valley Riesling 2023

Description

Skillogalee wines produce top class Clare Valley riesling. Skillogalee took its name from legend that goes back to the 1840’s when explorer/pioneer, John Horrocks became lost and survived on a `Skilly’ (gaelic word meaning broth) made of grass and seeds.

Skillogalee was established in 1970 with the first wines released in 1976. The 1978 dry riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map! The vineyards were planted in the early 1970s on what was then, at almost 500 metres above sea level, one of the highest vineyards in South Australia.

The Estate Riesling is crafted from dry-grown vines situated on the sloping hills of the family-owned estate in the Sevenhill subregion of the Clare Valley. These low-yield vines are carefully tended to by hand, following sustainable farming practices for both the preservation of the land and the authenticity of the wine’s terroir.

About this wine from the winemaker:  “The grapes are harvested only when they have reached the perfect balance of ripeness, flavour, and acidity, and then hand-picked and treated as separate parcels during the winemaking process. Each parcel is fermented separately, allowing our small winemaking team to highlight its unique characteristics. Finally, the parcels are meticulously blended just prior to bottling to create a balanced and structured wine, ready to be enjoyed today or in the future.

“The 2023 vintage highlights the art of precision in vineyard care and keen weather attentiveness. A particularly wet winter-spring led to a slower onset of the growing season, culminating in well-timed flowering and a March harvest. This period nurtured our white varieties, particularly Riesling and Gewürztraminer, with minimal rainfall from Christmas to March contributing to their remarkable flavour development and ideal acidity. Despite early challenges, the resilience and care in cultivation shone through, presenting wines that truly embody the celebrated terroir of Clare Valley.

“Vibrant and invigorating, this striking wine is characterised by refined acidity, enlivened with a brisk splash of Tahitian lime, delicate floral scents, and harmonious mineral undertones, culminating in a tantalising succulence. Its vivid flavours, inherent acidity, and elegant composition are a true reflection of our age-old soils and the remarkable landscape of Skillogalee. Strikingly lively in appearance, this wine is perfect for immediate enjoyment or will enhance beautifully with careful ageing.”

92 points, Mike Bennie for Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion “An accessible and easy-pleasing kind of riesling, still with the steel rod of Classic Clare’s inherent acid profile but with a more pulpy array of citrus and tropical fruit characters in cahoots. Scents of guava, just-ripe pineapple, lemon and mandarin with a faint whiff of bath salts and leafy herbs. Juicy in the palate with enough chalky pucker to tidy things up, a refreshing yet unbridled rendition of the variety, with easy drinking and summery days in its sight.”

RRP $33   **Our Special Price – $23.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine*