Wine Review – 2005 Babich Riesling
From: New Zealand
Price: $10.79
So far in 2009, it hasn’t been too difficult to find a great tasting inexpensive Riesling from just about any place in the world. With this in mind, I realized that I haven’t had the opportunity to taste a Riesling from New Zealand. In a land where Sauvignon Blanc reigns supreme, there’s not a whole lot of room for the great Riesling grape to shine. I recently came across the 2005 Babich Riesling and decided to give it a go for several reasons. The first reason being, the peeps at Babich usually deliver the goods when it comes to New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc. And the second reason being, if they’re Sauvignon Blanc is consistently good, then they’re Riesling has got to be pretty darn good too…right?
So would my assumptions be correct about the 2005 Babich Riesling?
Unfortunately, it was one big disappointment. This Riesling did have a “born on date” of 2005, so maybe it was supposed to be laid to rest a year or so ago – because it sure was funkified on my taste scale! It felt as if I was drinking a partly dissolved Alka-Seltzer tablet. It had a rather peculiar tart grapefruit and lemon flavor that finished chalky-dry. It actually left me thirsty for water so that I could wash it all down. To sum it all up, “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz” – it just had one strange effervescent taste to it.
I award the 2005 Babich Riesling 1 Star out of 4. I’m really hoping that I was just late to the party on this one and should have tried it sooner. But, if this is what the Babich winemakers intended, then they should get out while they still can and stick to making outstanding Sauvignon Blanc.
WineLife365 Rating: 1-Star
Posted in 1-Star, Reviews-Wine, Whites | 
Tags: 1-Star, 2005, Babich, New Zealand, White Wine, Wine Reviews
Don't know much of NZ Rieslings. My faves are the 'dry' Rieslings from the NY Finger Lakes region and some Washington State.
My one of favorite is king Fisher but Babich Riesling is also good ,rich flavored that will swing you .