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.

The Sword Name - ‘The Scimitar’ is a wide, curved blade Sabre, derived from the central Asian Turko-Mongolian Sabre of the 13th Century. Commonly used across the Islamic world the Scimitar was a slashing rather than a stabbing blade. The grapes for this wine were grown on the vineyard of Darry and Chris Honey. Located at Watervale, the vineyard is situated on the famed strip of Terra Rossa soil to the east of the town. 

It's finely scented on the nose, showing lemon sorbet, lime peel, green tea and white floral notes, followed by a tightly structured palate offering terrific poise and fruit purity.  The wine offers brilliant tension and harmony with a sustained, refined finish. Date: Sept 2024; Rating: 95 Points; Wine Orbit

Riposte Wines proprietor/winemaker Tim Knappstein knows a thing or two about Clare Valley Riesling, sourcing this from a prized vineyard east of the Watervale village in one of the region’s most renowned districts. To begin, the wine is all about the exotic nature of ripe lime fruit, blossom and flesh, with faint but effusive heady scents of lily playing along with their pretty aromatic depth. That lime thing just gets deeper and deeper into the core of the palate, accompanied by delicate acidity with an almost spicy edge. It’s delicious and very approachable, with fairy dust chalkiness in the finish. Riesling which delivers flavour above and beyond its natural varietal zing. Date: Oct 2024; Price: $24.00; Rating: 94 Points; Tony Love

The 2024 The Scimitar Riesling hails from a single vineyard east of Watervale in the Clare Valley. Aromatically, the wine leads with an abundance of scratched lime peel, jasmine florals and green apple. In the mouth, it is typically Clare, in that it is fine yet mouthfilling. Absolutely pleasurable and almost sumptuous, this Riesling is a fine example of what is possible in a region like Clare Valley. Yes! Date: Oct 2024; Drink: 2024-2034; Rating: 93 Points; Erin Larkin; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

A fine single vineyard from an excellent vintage in the Clare Valley. For those convinced that every year gets hyped up it doesn’t really matter, and in fairness we have had three great years in the last four – 2024, 2022 and 2021, with 2023 no slouch. However, even at this ridiculously early stage, there are considerable mutterings that 2025 will be an extremely challenging one, so make the most of ’24 while you can. A very pale lemon, the nose here is ripe and generous, perhaps a little more so than we sometimes see with Clare Riesling, offering lovely notes of lemon and lime – citrus very much to the fore here. There is a minerally, rather chalky backing and the wine had good focus on the palate. Bright acidity runs the length and the finish is very persistent. An eight to ten year proposition. Good buying. Date: Oct 2024; Price: $24.00; Drink by: 2024-2034; Rating: 93 Points; Ken Gargett

Tim Knappstein and his son, Nick, return to the original Knappstein ancestral home – the Clare Valley – to be inspired by the region’s Riesling sourced off a single vineyard on terra rossa soil, east of the Watervale township. Gotta say this reminds me of Clare Rieslings past with acidity to burn and fruit yet to really fly. But it will come. Subtle spice, florals, citrus and touch of snow pea herbals on the aroma. Becomes more vociferous and alive on the palate with a firm, taut knot of lime, lemon, citrus zest, green apple, cardamon spice and musk at its core. Compact and linear in shape, so precise and yet coiled. Dry, crisp finish. Give it some time, you will be rewarded. Date: Oct 2024; Price: $24.00; Drink by: 2024-2034; Rating: 91 Points;  Jeni Port