2006 Torzi Matthews Riesling Frost Dodger

The WINEFRONT

• By Gary Walsh
  11/5/2006, (See more on The WINEFRONT...)

  (Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling) Login and subscribe to see review text.

Halliday Wine Companion

• By James Halliday
  9/12/2006, (See more on Halliday Wine Companion...)

  (Torzi Matthews Vintners Frost Dodger Eden Valley Riesling) Subscribe to see review text.

The WINEFRONT

• By Campbell Mattinson
  8/14/2006, (See more on The WINEFRONT...)

  (Torzi Matthews Frost Dodger Riesling) Login and subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  9/19/2007, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (RIESLING Frost Dodger Torzi-Math) Frost Dodger Dear Friends, If you like the Torzi-Matthews Schist Rock Shiraz, here’s the grown-up big brother, the Frost Dodger Shiraz (along with the Riesling at a price that is tough to pass up). Josh Raynolds incredible review today on Australian wine in Tanzer’s IWC (where he literally drew a line in the sand and dropped the gloves with a brown colored wine publication) is one of the most poignant and pointed wine reviews I’ve read in some time. It may be controversial to some (which should not be the case) but it is so accurate that opposing arguments are hard to stand behind regardless of how you feel about Australian wine. Josh is not taking sides in this review, he is simply calling it like it is and trying to “Wake Up” the American wine drinker and move that person back to a centered position after so long on the sweet side of the Shiraz fence. The Arcade Fire may have made that phrase famous for a new generation but Mr. Raynolds has done his best for a US populous that needs an early morning alarm call from the front desk... With that in mind, here’s the top-drawer Torzi-Matthews Frost Dodger Shiraz from the 2005 vintage set to arrive in about two weeks. This is an example of the new Shiraz in South Australia - still large scaled but dialed down and reflective of the Syrah in the Shiraz name. Dominic Torzi dries the grapes for this wine to add to their intensity instead of performing extract tricks in the cellar - an unusual approach that has allowed the varietal and terroir to be the focus and not the wood. Called the Frost Dodger because the climate in this part of the Eden Valley is so cold, they are biting their nails in the spring to get through the frost season without harm to the vines. The reward? Cool-climate, high-intensity Shiraz that is worth all the worry. A return to Shiraz for many of you? Here are a couple of other interesting reviews of the Frost Dodger... Australian Gourmet Traveler, Best Buys: "Here is a superb red to complement the Frost Dodger Riesling made by Domenic Torzi and Tracy Matthews from their Eden Valley vineyard. It is produced using the appassimento method, in which bunches of grapes are placed on racks for drying for about 3 weeks before fermentation. This is done to improve concentration and complexity, and it works. Its a voluptuous wine - succulent and fleshy, with vibrant redcurrant and blackberry flavours, before a long, dry and lingering finish." Oh yeah...I was also able to source some of the Riesling as well and for those of you weaned on the unctuous palate presence of Alsatian wines with a stony, lemon-lime center, this is for you (at close to half price) - should be one of the more interesting and inspired Rieslings we offer this year. Both are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Please let us know your interest in both at your earliest convenience - only 20 cases of the Riesling and 50 cases of the Shiraz for the entire US market: 2006 Torzi Matthews Riesling “Frost Dodger” Eden Valley EXTREMELY LIMITED 2005 Torzi Matthews Shiraz “Frost Dodger” Eden Valley EXTREMELY LIMITED Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Aus7550 Aus7560