2005 MadFish Riesling Reviews

“The limey 2005 MadFish Riesling, (18.1 points), is youthful, fresh, dry, crisp, slatey, classy and, in a word, delicious. Zesty, aromatic and exciting also come to mind, especially this summer with grilled fillets of fish and salads, or just as an everyday or party drink at this price. It is very young, has a marvellous texture and will live for 15 years. Hard to beat at the price. ”

John Jens, Invinity Fine Wines - 19-02-2008
Full Review

“This Riesling from Western Australia is juicy and mouth-filling, with a lovely balance between sweetness and acidity. The nose is the famously mineral/petrol nose of Riesling. Fresh lime and melon aromas abound. An absolutely beautiful resiling?”

88 Points
Robert Whitely, www.whitelyonwine.com - 01-09-2006
Full Review

“Very refined style; delicate, yet intense and long palate; delicious lemony acidity to close. Drink 2015.”

91 Points
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2007 - 01-08-2006
Full Review

“Pale straw. Bright, mineral-driven lime, white peach, jasmine and honeysuckle on the nose. Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, with pure citrus and pear flavours that have just the right amount of sweetness to drive the fruit, but no flab. Finishes juicy, clean and persistent... This will age but is pretty easy to like right now.”

89 Points
Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 14-07-2006
Full Review

“This is Great Southern Riesling from WA, totally different from east coast examples ? estery florals, light mineral texture, very swish flavours and a savoury after impression. Unwooded light whites have the crystal clear character typical of cool climate growing sites.”

90 Points
Top 100 Australian Wine Guide, The Courier Mail - 13-06-2006
Full Review

“Like a simple QbA, this riesling has tart-sweet fruit with a fusel edge. A soft white for lake fish.”

Tasting Panel, Wine and Spirits Magazine USA - 01-06-2006
Full Review

“One taste was enough to place this extraordinary wine at the pointy end of my best-value list. It won last year?s Hyatt Riesling Challenge for Best Riesling in Australia and New Zealand. It?s a zesty, perfumed wine with a great core acidity and quite intense fruit.”

Tony Harper, Brisbane News - 12-04-2006
Full Review

“Bright and juicy, a lively mouthful of lime, mineral and green apple aromas and flavours, lingering on the long dry, jazzy finish. Drink now through 2012.”

89 Points
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator Magazine USA - 01-12-2005
Full Review

“Two trophies at the Hyatt Riesling Challenge is impressive for a wine at this price: subtle, restrained, lemon and lime flavours, lively cleansing acidity, long vibrant finish.”

Peter Forrestal, The Sunday Times - 20-11-2005
Full Review

“Winemaker, Mike Kerrigan says that 2005 was a very difficult year and so he?s surprised that the 2005 has turned out so well. The reality is that it?s good because he rejected a great deal of fruit in making the wine. The wine is sourced only from vineyards in Mount Barker and the Porongurups because they give the citrus blossom character that Kerrigan is seeking. For him, the Porongurups gives some lifted citrus flavours, finesse and slightly austere minerally characters while the Mount Barker fruit relieves that austerity and provides succulence and generosity of flavour. Summing up, I like the 2005 MadFish?s restraint, its lemony, limey flavours, powerful refreshing acidity and long, lingering dry finish. Think about natural oysters, gentle poached scallops, mildly spicy stir fried prawns. Think summer. ”

Peter Forrestal, www.quaff.com.au - 11-11-2005
Full Review

“Pungent nose ? smells like a combination of pear drops and sweet grapefruit. Long, balanced, flavoursome grapefruit/lime palate with a slight chalky edge.”

Riesling Tasting Panel, Winestate Magazine - 01-11-2005
Full Review

“This has to be one of the best value rieslings around. It?s spicy and mineral-like with a lovely lingering palate of lemon and lime. Excellent value”

Ray Jordan, The West Australian - 29-10-2005
Full Review

“When I was a kid one of my favourite places was in the back corner of our garden in the suburbs of Adelaide, half way up a huge, ancient white peach tree. Fully ripe, the peaches were like baseballs, big enough for me to sink my face into and have the juicy nectar run down my chin. MadFish?s juicy white peach Riesling flashed me straight back to my summer perch in the tree all those decades ago. A lifted airy peach blossom bouquet with fresh apples and pears introduces a fresh peach and nectarine palate which surges into a long finish of lemon juice acidity. For a fresh, softly structured riesling to drink young, this mad thing is on a perch of its own. A very good wine. Best drinking around 2005 ? 2006. ”

91 Points
Tyson Stelzer, www.tysonstelzer.com - 08-10-2005
Full Review

“This is a classical Great Southern Riesling, superbly made and promising to live on and on. It has an instantly attractive nose, with fine flowery and citrusy aromas that are very fresh but at the same time complex. The taste is intense yet subtle, and the fruit is full of vitality, crisp acid, fine balance and cellarability.”

Best in the West - Panel, Scoop Magazine - 01-12-2004
Full Review