Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling   
A mini-vertical of one of Australia's most famous Rieslings
 

Steingarten was devised by celebrated wine maker and Riesling expert Colin Gramp of Australian wine company Orlando, who were later to produce the Jacob’s Creek brand. A trial planting of Riesling was done in the 1960s on a windy, high-up site on the top of the Barossa ranges (Steingarten). The 1000 vines that were planted struggled somewhat and made little wine. Since then, Eden Valley Riesling from other sites has been used for this wine, so Steingarten is not a vineyard, but a brand name.

In recent years, the wine has been rebadged 'Jacob's Creek', presumably to bring some prestige to the brand; previously the brand of Orlando had been used.

The diurnal shift of temperature in the Eden Valley gives good quality Riesling with purity of fruit. The average altitude is 500 metres. These wines have a track record for ageing well, as the 1996 and 1998 in this line-up demonstrates. The notes here are a combination of three different tastings, with the date indicated.

Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling 1996 Barossa
Deep yellow colour. Rich, broad toasty limey nose showing some evolution, but still fresh. The palate has lovely depth and intensity, as well as some herby waxy notes and citrus freshness. 93/100 (04/08)

Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling 1998 Barossa
Creamy, broad, toasty nose. The palate is fresh and crisp with nice fruitiness. Crisp broad and almost tannic in its mouthfeel: a bold, intense, limey Riesling. 92/100 (04/08)

1998 Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling, Barossa
A good season with a relatively mild summer. Tight and fresh, beginning to develop some toasty notes. Intense, mineralic and quite complex with nice development. Notes of lime zest and anise here. A good effort. 92/100 (06/09)

2005 Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling, Barossa
A stunning vintage with a cool summer, high yields and a warm autumn that stayed dry until the middle of June. Limey, minerally nose. Taut, tight palate with some limey notes. Real intensity, and promise for future development. 90/100 (06/09)

2006 Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling, Barossa (tank sample)
This has an aromatic, fresh limey nose with some floral notes. The palate is powerfully flavoured with fresh lime and lemon fruit and taut herbal notes, as well as some pithy, spicy grip. A savoury, intense, bone dry wine with potential for development, though it is a bit tough now. 91/100 (05/10)

2009 Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling, Barossa (tank sample)
Another version of the 2005 vintage, preceded by two weeks of intense heat around veraison. Very aromatic and youthful, with vivid lime zest character and lovely rose petal floral notes. There’s great acidity and fruit here, with real intensity and a spicy, limey character. 89–92/100 (06/09)

See also:

Landmark Australia Tutorial (series)

Wines tasted as indicated 
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