R Wines Southern Gothic Diddley Bow Riesling 2009 Front Label
R Wines Southern Gothic Diddley Bow Riesling 2009 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

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Diddley Bow is an exuberant, good ol' boy of a wine. Sometimes too loud, sometimes over the top, full of flavor, but in the end, always well mannered at the table and a good match for all the wonderful foods we associate with Riesling, like shrimp and grits and oyster po' boys.

Ripe lime and lemon flavors and aromas. The touch of Gewurztraminer providing lychee flavors. The wine is musky, minerally and has a good acid and sugar balance.

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Professional Ratings

  • 90
    The Southern Gothic series begins with the 2009 Diddley Bow Riesling. Light straw-colored, it gives up an enticing aromatic array of spring flowers, baking spices, lemon-lime, and melon. Just off-dry in a Kabinett style, it has lively acidity and the balance to evolve for 2-3 years. It should drink well through 2017.
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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.

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A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.

Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.

MNS77530191_2009 Item# 104709