Catherine Marshall Riesling 2017
By Christian Eedes, 10 January 2019
-
Share:
4
Love is in the air.
There were some 146ha of Riesling planted in South Africa at the end of 2017, down from 240ha in 2007 so it’s evidently not a growth category but in spite of that, the wines which are being made from it seem to show increased sophistication, the 2017 from Catherine Marshall a case in point.
From Elgin fruit, the nose shows pear, lime and green apple plus some petroleum-like character and spice. The palate is clean and fresh – not without weight thanks to an RS of 11.3g/l but there’s plenty of acidity to offset this. Alcohol: 12%. Price: R140 a bottle.
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
Find our South African wine ratings database here.
-
Share:
Kevin R | 11 January 2019
Goes without saying that Riesling is one of the most noble varietals… but it doesn’t seem to garner the support that it deserves in RSA.
Christian Eedes | 11 January 2019
Hi Kevin R, I have to say I was unconvinced by SA Riesling circa 10 years ago but recent examples are increasingly compelling – the result of benign neglect? Doyen of the industry Duimpie Bayly once said to me all the best sites for Riesling in this country are planted to Sauvignon Blanc…
Kevin R | 11 January 2019
Can definitely believe that for commercial reasons – a little sad. Onwards and upwards.
Kwispedoor | 11 January 2019
It doesn’t help that South Africans generally don’t ever mature their wines, Kevin. For Riesling to really shine, it needs to be properly matured. One thing that makes Riesling different from almost any other cultivar is that even crappy Riesling is almost always better with age.