2015 Billy Button ‘The Torment’ Riesling
Christened “The Torment” because Jo broke her own rule regarding sourcing Billy Button grapes exclusively from the Alpine Valleys. Riesling is her favourite white variety and very little is grown and available in the region. Then some pristine fruit was offered by a grower in the King Valley and once sighted the deal was done. This year the benign growing conditions produced some of the healthiest fruit from the Croucher Vineyard which is at an elevation of 800 metres in the picturesque Whitlands subregion of the King Valley.
Say 'reez-ling'
Production Notes
Jo made this wine very differently to the 2014 version, aligning the winemaking approach with that used for all other white varieties in the range. Handpicked then 50% whole-bunch pressed and 50% crushed with 24 hour skin contact prior to pressing. Fermented naturally in stainless steel with full grape solids at 18 deg. Held on lees for 2 months without sulphur, unstirred, prior to stabilisation, filtration and bottling.
Tasting Note - 5th June 2021
Beautiful example of aged Riesling.
Colour: Deep yellow
Nose: Hot buttered toast and brown lime cordial aromas
Palate: Lemon curd and kaffir lime flavours with taught acidity keeping the palate lively. Peak drinking
Drink Now!
Technical details
Vineyard: Croucher Vineyard, Whitlands
Region: King Valley
Harvest date: 18th March
Alcohol: 12.0%
Review
"Grown at 800m in the upper heights of the King Valley. It's a severe, take-no-prisoners style in general but it has just enough prettiness to keep you on its side. In flavour terms: the full gamut of lime (juice, rind and blossom) set with grapefruit and slate. It darts. It lingers." Campbell Mattinson - 95 points - James Halliday Wine Companion - Published 06 October 2016