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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