d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2017
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Exotic aromas of green apple, ripe citrus and white flowers. The palate is quite rich and textural, with intense mandarin and grapefruit flavours. There's a little sweetness, but this is beautifully balanced with tight, youthful acidity, resulting in a long, mouth-watering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Textbook notes of green apples and limes abound in d'Arenberg's 2017 The Dry Dam Riesling. Medium-bodied and off-dry (17 grams per liter of residual sugar), it's quite tight and lean through the palate and onto the chalky finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is an off-dry Riesling from McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills (fairly unusual regions to find this variety). The small amount of residual sugar left in the wine is a welcome balance to the lofty levels of acidity, and elevates the charm factor of those lime, grapefruit, apple-blossom and wet stone notes.
Other Vintages
2019-
James
Suckling
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Wine &
Spirits
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Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
d'Arenberg is one of the undisputed kings of Australian Shiraz and other Rhone varieties that have historically defined the region. A century on, their vineyards have grown to some 450 acres in McLaren Vale, including Shiraz dating back to d'Arenberg's first plantings in 1912, and nearly one-third of McLaren Vale's old bush-vine Grenache. Fourth generation winemaker, Chester Osborn, recently converted all of the family's vineyards to organics and biodynamics and moved to solar energy in the winery. All the while, in terms of winemaking, not much has changed--all the wines are basket-pressed, the reds foot-trodden during fermentation; everything is done in small batches, leading to an impressive array of bottlings every year, each showing a different facet of McLaren Vale terroir. Having been inducted into Wine & Spirits Magazine's Hall of Fame for earning a place on its Top 100 Wineries nine times, this accolade is a reflection of d'Arenberg's revered reputation worldwide.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.