The 1999 Blass Riesling was last night named as the Riesling of the Year by the Winestate Magazine at their 2000 Wine of the Year awards dinner.
The award reinforced winemaker Wendy Stuckey as Australia's leading riesling maker. The 2000 Wolf Blass Riesling, also made by Stuckey, was awarded a top five finish in the riesling judging.
Wendy Stuckey was ecstatic about winning the coveted award from some very good competition.
"The quality of Clare Valley Riesling cannot be doubted and I am so lucky to have some of the best fruit available to work with," she said.
"It is a credit to all that work as part of the Wolf Blass team that we continue to win awards such as this."
The Winestate Wines of the Year were selected from more than 11,000 wines tasted by the magazine's judging panels throughout the year. All wines that achieved a 4 ½ or 5 star rating at these tastings were re-tasted by the judging panel of senior wine show judge, Stephen John and Masters of Wine - Martin Williams and Peter Scudamore-Smith.
The 1999 Blass Riesling was sourced from two sub-regions of the Clare Valley that are renowned for the quality of riesling fruit produced - Watervale and Sevenhill. The judges were impressed with the balance of youthfulness and aged characters that it was displaying.
"Mid lemon in colour. A slight kerosene character showing already, with attractive honey and biscuit/toast aromas. A lively honey and toast palate. Limes and citrus lift, with some age development. Mature, full-bodied and soft," they commented.
The 1999 Blass Riesling was the second vintage of this wine which is part of the Blass regional and vineyard selection range. Its recommended retail price is $17.
Further Information or to contact Wendy Stuckey:
George Samios
Public Relations Manager
Beringer Blass Wine Estates
Tel: +613 9690 9966
Mob: 0417 359 919
