Rockford Vine Vale Riesling 2023

Product Information: The Rockford reds get so much attention that the whites fly under the radar. In some ways that’s a shame but the upside is that they remain terrific value for the quality on offer. This Vine Vale Riesling is not what you’d expect, it has piercing acidity and exotic aromatics you’d associate to the higher elevations of Eden and Clare Valleys Rieslings. Maker: Discover the essence of Barossa Valley’s heart in Tanunda at Rockford, where a legacy of tantalising taste experiences has been crafted since the 1980s. During those times, the land was more accessible, offering an inviting opportunity for aspiring winemakers to thrive. Robert O’Callaghan, the visionary founder and proprietor, seized the moment and acquired the property that is now home to Rockford. Building strong connections with local grape growers and acquiring top-notch winemaking equipment, Robert embarked on his remarkable winemaking odyssey at Rockford, paving the way for unforgettable wine journeys. Since its inception, Rockford has embraced a small-scale approach, nurturing close relationships with growers and forging genuine connections with customers. This steadfast commitment to personal connections sets Rockford apart, a competitive edge that stems from decades of fostering rapport within the local community. The land upon which Rockford stands boasts a rich history, its buildings and equipment carefully preserved throughout the years, exuding an enchanting antique charm. During the exploration of the premises, the captivating aroma of wine production permeates the air, immersing individuals in a sensory experience that harmoniously blends with the site’s distinctive ambiance. Amidst the allure of Rockford’s surroundings, the wines themselves take centre stage. Crafted with passion and meticulous attention to detail, they encapsulate the essence of Barossa Valley’s terroir. Each sip unveils a delightful flavour profile, a testament to Rockford’s dedication to producing wines that captivate the palate and evoke a genuine sense of pleasure. In addition to the small home vineyard, Rockford works in partnership with several independent wine growers around Barossa, with vineyards in Kalimna, Ebenezer, Moppa Springs, the Eden Valley and Vine Vale Barossa. This gives Rockford a wide variety of soil types, mesoclimates and altitudes for its grapes. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and range up to 130 years old, giving intense, concentrated grapes, and wines with the same attributes. Winemaking is largely traditional, using basket presses, open-topped slate fermenters and a 1880s petrol-driven Bagshaw destemmer/crusher. Vineyard: The 2023 Harvest started later, in early March for lighter white crops. March and April were relatively fine, but a few rainfall events caused some disease pressure, keeping both growers and winemakers on their toes with crop management and picking dates. Yields varied across the region. The hard work needed in the vineyard for the 2022/23 season paid off. White wines, particularly Rieslings in this vintage have impressive aromatics, finesse and great natural acidity. Nose – Floral Notes, Honey, Chalky Minerals Citrus oils, green apple juice, tonic water, alpine herbs. Palate – Steely, Ripe, Lime Lots of flavour, well judged acidity for freshness and charm. Finish – Pear, Crunch, Preserve Lemon gummy crunch of honeycomb and toasty characters in the near-ish future (2022) Chamomile and floral notes, honey and lime, a rich almost fresh pineapple flavour, and again the honey and lavender, a subtle chalky grip, richness of pear and honey, with a pretty good lime laced and dried pear and honey finish. Flavoursome, generous… – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front. (2021) Straw yellow in colour, and rich and nutty. Lemongrass, lemon barley, honey, maybe aniseed, even. It’s pretty steely, but ripe in flavour, almost juicy, chalk dust texture, wheatgerm and a dry crunch to the finish, again a sort of honey nut and preserved lemon aftertaste. Old school style here, and very different from the mainstream, but good. – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front. The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Riesling Country – Australia Region – Barossa Valley, South Australia Vintage – 2023 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 12.4%