2011 Clonakilla Riesling Auslese 10%
Canberra District, screwcap (half bottle)

Light gold colour, apple, baked apple, sweet spice, stonefruits. Still fresh, with a viscous, honeyed, textured palate, peach, dash of apricot, limes, and persistence. Clonakilla’s Rieslings (from winemaker Tim Kirk) are under-appreciated, and this sweet wine (from a very wet year) surely has some complexing botrytis.  I previously reviewed this wine in 2019, and it has surpassed my expected lifespan; albeit the descriptors and score are pretty similar. Very smart, and supports a recommendation to seek out the unusual small-batch releases from Clonakilla.

Drink to 2031, 93 points

1998 Gehrig Vintage Port 18.1%
Rutherglen

Good, cork, lots of sediment; developed colour but decent for age. Not the first Rutherglen producer that comes to mind for the style, but spices, chocolate and mocha, sweet fruit (100% Shiraz) and sweet brandy spirit with some dried fruits (orange peel) in the mix. Luxurious and a little alcohol heat forgiven with the fruit concentration, as everything was in a delicious drinking window.

Drink to 2033, and 92 points.