Australian Vintage, McGuigan ‘Shortlist’ Riesling, Eden Valley, Australia, 2013 and 2019
A perennial top performer in the Global Masters series, whether it concerns Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Chardonnay, McGuigan did it again when it came to Riesling.
This producer impressed our panel with two Rieslings in fact, both under the same label, called ‘Shortlist’, but from different vintages.
An older library release example, hailing from the 2013 harvest, had toasty aromatics, and a distinct note of petrol, a hallmark of aged Riesling, along with masses of fresh lime fruit.
Meanwhile, a younger sample from 2019 attracted praise for its intense peach and citrus fruit and bright finish. Take your pick.
What the judges said about the 2013 ‘Shortlist’:
Toasty, nutty nose, like aged Semillion from Hunter Valley, with a touch of burnt rubber TDN character too, but in an attractive aged Riesling way.
While the palate is very petrolly, like four star spilt on the forecourt, it combines this with intense lemon-lime citrus bite. A lovely aged style of Riesling.
ABV: 11%
RS: N/A
Price: Approx £17
Score: 91
Medal: Silver
What the judges said about the 2019 ‘Shortlist’:
Masses of peach and grape flavours with an oily texture and chalky, fresh, bone dry finish, this is an extremely youthful fresh Riesling with plenty of ripe fruit too.
ABV: 12.2%
RS: N/A
Price: Approx £17
Score: 90
Medal: Silver
