2005 Riesling The Florita

The 2005 The Florita Riesling is tasted as a cellar release in 2025, and the wine shows golden glints in the glass. On the nose, it offers shortcrust pastry, Golden Delicious apples, braised limes and preserved lemon. There is also beeswax, cloth and white pepper. In the mouth, the wine manages to be both rich and taut, the acidity undiminished over time but the fruit softening and enveloping around it. The finish remains composed and long, indicating there is still time left for this wine, although it is drinking beautifully today. This is a pleasure. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

A very good vintage, warm days and cool nights. ‘In the sweet spot of the tasting’ (in terms of development), suggests Sam Barry. RS 0.99 g/l, pH 3.01, TA 7.5 g/l. Pale gold. Intense, pure lemon and lime on the nose and a touch of spice. Much richer than I expected on the palate, with an oily richness in the texture balanced by great acidity. Higher alcohol adds to the greater power, it seems. Excellent balance. (JH)

Light yellow-gold. Vibrant citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complemented by smoky minerals and anise. Concentrated and lively, with clean lemon, lime and green apple flavors and a slow-building salty, minerally quality. The clean finish boasts terrific length. I'd bet on this rewarding at least a decade of patience.