RS21 stands for Residual Sugar 21. Meaning that fermentation has been stopped such that there is 21 grams per litre of residual sugar, classing this as medium or off-dry on the sweetness spectrum. There’s a great place for these wines to match food. The sugar can temper spice heat or cut through rich proteins in cheese. According to the website, Castle Rock Estate have sold out but if you spot this, buy with confidence.

Castle Rock Estate, RS21, Riesling, Porongurup, 2021

Pale lemon hue with green highlight. Interesting and expressive nose: greener, herbaceous nettle tea lines with stone fruit skin, ripe Golden Delicious apple and brown pear flesh, lime sorbet, crushed salt and sea spray. The sugar shows itself in the smooth roundness of the mid palate rather than a cloying finish, with plenty of juicy acidity balancing things to the point where it almost still appears as a dry wine.  Deftly handled and damn tasty.

RRP: $21
Alc: 9.8%
Rating: 18.25/20 (93/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Castle Rock Estate and Define Wine