Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling 2009: seasonal wine of the day

Crisp and pure as the driven snow, Stephanie Toole’s, Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Cordon Cut Riesling firmly trounces the notion that Australian sweet wines are by nature “stickies.”  Toole’s  Auburn vineyard is dedicated to Cordon Cut and her focus and attention to detail has paid dividends.  Cordon Cut has graced the Queen’s 80^th birthday celebrations and Opera Australia’s 50^th anniversary party.  So why not let it grace your table over Christmas?  Here’s my tasting note: 

Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling 2009 (Clare Valley, South Australia) – as you might expect from the variety and Clare Valley, its place of origin, Cordon Cut Riesling sports terrific lime and line.  Clear as a bell on nose and palate and remarkably fleet of foot, with a sublime balance to its intense, honeyed lime fruit.  Count the calories, if you must, with a fruit pudding, but compensate with a glass of this!  A half bottle costs £22.95 at Harrods or £20.85 at Slurp (click here for details of a 15% discount at Slurp).