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Richard
Hamilton 2005
"Slate Quarry" Riesling
McLaren Vale, South Australia
 Willunga, in the southern
reaches of McLaren Vale is tough country with a long and colorful pioneering
history. The early settlers owed much to its slate mines, some of which still
exist to this day. The bedrock slate and stony soils in the area are home to
Richard Hamilton’s frugal old Riesling vines. These graceful old maidens
annually yield small volumes of intensely flavorsome juice, resulting in wines
of distinctive varietal character and flavor.
Planted on a south-facing slope amidst a breezy gully, this estate grown 30-plus
year-old Riesling vineyard has a lovely cool microclimate particularly suited to
Riesling. Every year it provides grapes of wonderful concentration and style,
with intense flavors and outstanding varietal definition. The 2005 McLaren Vale
vintage was quite cool, but ripening was slightly earlier than on average across
all varieties. The grapes were harvested in the cool of the night on the March
1, 2005. Following A gentle air-bag pressing without crushing, the juice was
allowed to settle over several weeks. The juice was racked then cool fermented
with a yeast strain specially selected to enhance the floral nature of the
fruit. The wine has had minimal handling and was stabilized with a light milk
fining in the same tank in which it was fermented. This is wine in its purest
form - elegant and stylish - from the vine to the glass.
A very pale straw color with attractive green tinges. A spectacular nose
displaying floral, lime and orange blossom notes with a whiff of soft talc and
fresh cut flowers. The elegant palate displays exceptionally pure Riesling
fruit, offering zesty fresh lime and grapefruit flavors, mineral and delicate
talc characters and finishes with refreshing clean acidity. Drink now to enjoy
this lively zesty Riesling, or see further complexity and depth of flavor
develop with medium term cellaring. Ideal as an aperitif or the perfect
accompaniment to delicately flavored seafood or spicy South East Asian cuisine.
Alcohol: 12.4%
pH: 3.24
TA: 7.12
R/Sugar: 3.0g/l.
90
One of South Australia’s most serious wineries, Richard Hamilton has produced a
superb 2005 Riesling Slate Quarry. This medium-bodied, persistent white exhibits
a liquid minerality intertwined with hints of lemons, limes, oranges, and
honeyed grapefruits. It will drink beautifully with a variety of foods.
Robert M Parker Jr - Wine Advocate
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