Young riesling, if it's well balanced, is delicious but a few years bottle age can lift it to a new level. Of all the white varieties, it really repays the effort of cellaring.
BEST VALUE
$22
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
At two years old this oozes sweet fruit - lime, grapefruit, citrus blossom, and in the mouth it's delicate but with a nice intensity, a hint of marmalade, and a crisp, dry finish.
BEST VALUE
$20
Four stars
Good value
Golden in colour at five years old, this hints of honey, raisins, dried apricots, orange marmalade and buttered toast. Initially it appears sweet, but the finish is dry, with a crisp bite. Delicious with cheese, dried fruit and nuts.
$24
Four stars
Good value
Another intense wine, oozing attractive, juicy fruit - lemon, pineapple, golden kiwi, with underlying suggestions of lime marmalade and a lovely, long, crisp, dry finish.
$33
Four stars
Below average value
This late harvest wine is initially sweet with lovely fruit - lime, lemon and citrus flower, with a lively intensity but also a delicacy from the lower (11%) alcohol. It's beautifully balanced witha crisp acidity on the finish.
$23
Three and a half stars
Average value
A youthful wine, hinting of lemon zest and fresh herbs with an attractive intensity suggesting buttered toast and marmalade, a steely dry finish and a lingering after taste. I expect it will develop more complexity with a year or so's bottle age.
$23
Three and a half stars
Average value
A medium sweet wine, floral with lots of ripe fruit - golden kiwi and pineapple - and a hint of lime marmalade, balanced by an attractive, crisp acidity.
ANOTHER GLASS
The Doctors Marlborough Riesling 2012
$22
Three and a half stars
Average value
A delicate wine with suggestions of sweet golden kiwi and mineral, light in weight and full of charm with a crisp, limey finish. Ideal chilled on a long summer evening with strawberries warm from the garden.
Tohu Marlborough Riesling 2012
$20
Three and a half stars
Average value
A zesty wine with hints of lime and lemon marmalade, intense and powerful in the mouth, but unrelentingly dry on the long finish. It shines with food - something with a bit of fat like cheese, to cut the acidity.
