Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A wine that has now become so consistently great, it is a liquid tribute to the dedication of the Cullam family, to their vineyard and winemaking; this 2014 is no exception. The nose is reminiscent of lime juice on crushed rocks and for a riesling lover that is basically aromatic nirvana - there are some gentle florals and a spicy edge too. The palate has deep-set power and striking purity; it draws deep and then fires like an arrow in a straight lime-drenched line of tangy citrus flavor, holding long, nailing the target. Exhilarating now, this will age for more than a decade without raising a sweat.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Isolation Ridge Riesling sits in an interesting space currently, and aromatically, there is cold buttered toast, lemon curd, damp straw, sherbet, exotic spice, lemongrass and wafts of shaved ginger. The wine is textural yet lithe and long—it soars. Like a boomerang, the finish comes back to you, with more flavor and spice than it departed with, making this a full spectrum of flavor and texture. This is balanced, juicy and exciting. Rating :95+
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Wine Enthusiast
Despite its modest alcohol content, this is a medium-bodied dry wine. Like the wines from some Mosel vineyards, the fruit notes hint at red berries or stone fruit in this vintage, backed by strong citrus flavors. This should age well through at least 2025.
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.
Quite remote and unequalled in beauty, the wine regions of Westerm Australia promise endless physical and climatic diversity. From the coolest, seaside vineyards to the hottest inland zones, Western Australia is the source of some of the country’s most sought after wines.