RIPOSTE Sauvignon Blanc,'The Foil', Riposte by Tim Knappstein 2009 Tim Knappstein stands tall among Australia’s elite winemakers; a third generation vigneron with 40 years’ experience producing wines of finesse and excellence. Tim commenced winemaking in Clare, South Australia, with the renowned Knappstein family owned Stanley Wine Company. Within a decade, Tim had won more than 500 show awards, gold medals and trophies for the company’s premium Leasingham range, though his unrequited passion for cool climate wines led Tim to the Adelaide Hills in 1981, where he planted the first vineyard in the Lenswood district. Respected as one of Australia’s most informed and experienced cool climate vignerons, Tim has judged at regional, state, national and international wine shows since 1975, and is currently chairman of judges at the Cowra Wine Show and National Cool Climate Wine Show in Bathurst, New South Wales. Tim Knappstein’s hand-crafted wines continue to attract the highest accolades. Verifying his expertise as a cool climate wine craftsman, Tim’s pinot noir from the Adelaide Hills has won trophies on seven of the 11 times it has been entered in the Adelaide Hyatt Advertiser Wine Awards. Working closely with selected growers to obtain the highest quality fruit, Tim’s vast knowledge and expert skills enable him to produce highly individual cool climate wines of undisputed premium quality ; evident throughout the impressive Riposte portfolio of wines. Tim also consults to a small selection of wineries. THE WINE Shows fruit on the offensive, a thrust of lifted passionfruit and gooseberry combined with a mineral edge. A weapon of power and elegance, with initial fruit intensity tapering cleanly on the palate to a crisp, finely honed acid point. Enjoy while young and fresh. THE LABEL The dictionary definition of ‘Riposte’ (pronounced rip-posst) is comeback, reply, retort, or in the context of the sport of fencing a quick counter stroke. After over a decade of confusion about his name, ‘Riposte’ was chosen as an appropriate name for a ‘comeback label’ by Tim Knappstein. TECHNICAL DATA Made in batches from three premium Adelaide Hills vineyards, two from Lobethal and one from Lenswood. Crushed and pressed with minimal skin contact, the juice was clarified by cold settling and fermented cold. Portions of the wine from each vineyard were used in the final blend. Cold and protein stabilized it was bottled on 7th September 2009 Available in screw cap only Variety 100% Sauvignon Blanc Geographical Indication 100% Adelaide Hills Picking dates Three batches; 7th - 13th March 2008 Sugar at harvest 12.2° - 12.9° Baumé Alcohol 13.5 % pH 3.04 Acidity 6.82 g/L Residual Sugar 1.2 g/L Cellaring potential Best drunk before 2 years VITICULTURE The grapes for this wine are chosen from the original Lenswood Vineyard planted by Tim Knappstein and two other premium vineyards from Lobethal in the cool climate Adelaide Hills. Awards 2006 - GOLD Adelaide Hills Wine Show 2006 Reviews 2009 - (93) James Halliday 2008 - 4 ½ Stars Paddy Kendler 2008 - (94) James Halliday Top 100 Wines that drive the checkout counter 2008 - (92) Nick Stock 2008 - 4 ½ Stars Ralph Kyte Powell Media Review 2008 - (94) Halliday’s Choice Top 21 2007 - (94) James Halliday Wine Companion 2009 2007 - (93) Nick Stock 2006 - (94) James Halliday Wine Companion 2008 Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £160.28 (Including VAT at 20%)