Kilikanoon Mort's Block Watervale Riesling 2023

Watervale sits in the cooler southern pocket of Clare Valley, where the unique terroir produces Rieslings with distinctive granitic minerality and exceptional ageing potential. Unlike the more linear, citrus-driven styles from warmer regions, Watervale Rieslings like this Mort's Block develop a waxy texture and weighted mouthfeel that allows the wine to coat the palate. The cooler climate also preserves natural acidity while allowing for more complex flavour development including honey and white blossom notes.

This wine has ageing potential beyond 10 years, which is exceptional for Australian Riesling. During the first 2-3 years, you'll enjoy the vibrant citrus and green apple characters, but the real magic happens after 5-7 years when the wine develops classic aged Riesling characteristics like toast, honey, and petrol notes. The granitic minerality and textural weight provide the backbone needed for extended cellaring, making this an excellent candidate for your long-term collection.

Textural Rieslings break away from the stereotype of bone-dry, razor-sharp wines that many associate with the variety. This style emphasises mouthfeel and weight, creating a wine that feels substantial and coating rather than just crisp and clean. The waxy texture mentioned in this Mort's Block comes from extended lees contact and the natural characteristics of Watervale fruit, giving the wine more presence on the palate and contributing to its impressive finish length.

Hand-picking allows for selective harvesting of only the perfectly ripe bunches, which is crucial for Riesling's delicate flavour profile. Machine harvesting can bruise the thin-skinned Riesling grapes and introduce unwanted tannins or off-flavours. With 100% hand-picking, Kilikanoon ensures only pristine fruit makes it into the fermentation, preserving the pure citrus and floral characters while maintaining the natural acidity that gives this wine its ageing potential and vibrant finish.

The textural weight and granitic minerality make this Riesling versatile beyond traditional seafood pairings. Try it with roasted pork belly where the wine's acidity cuts through richness while the waxy texture complements the meat's fat. Asian cuisine with complex spice profiles works beautifully - the honey notes bridge sweet and savoury elements. For cheese, opt for aged hard cheeses where the wine's minerality and long finish can stand up to intense flavours without being overwhelmed.