La Magia Botrytis Riesling
Joseph Desset Wine
Clare Valley, South Australia
85% Riesling, 15% Traminer
What a lovely vintage to make a sweet Riesling. We had an extended Indian Summer, similar to 2002, and ripening conditions were just perfect. Our Eden Valley botrytised Riesling grapes were beautiful as usual and we were able to lay our hands on some really good raisined Traminer, this time from Clare. Blending 15% Traminer with the Riesling gives the wine a lovely spicy lift.
The nose of the 2004 JOSEPH ‘la magia’ is tight and compact - fresh and lifted, not unlike a basket of dried summer fruits; figs, peaches, apricots, drizzled with honey and showing loads of fresh zippy acid. Over the lot, especially at the moment, are distinctive Eden Valley Riesling characters of lemon and lemon flower.
On the palate this wine makes a pleasing transition from an intensely sweet entry through to intense flavors of fig, apricot and lemon to a
finish with invigoratingly clean fresh acidity.
"We don’t attempt to make rich syrupy style ‘stickies’. We prefer a wine that is delicate, refreshing and lively but always with luscious fruit flavours. In some ways now, while it’s young and tight, this is at its most enticing."
The 2004 Joseph ‘la magia’ is at its best served chilled with fruit based desserts, mango or citrus are just ideal, or soft cheeses like
ricotta and gorgonzola. Imagine this wine in 15 years time -which is how long we believe it can be cellared. La magia! the ‘magic’ of botrytis.
