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Riesling
One of the world's great grape varieties and the acknowledged king of German vineyards, also important in Alsace, Riesling goes through a number of ripening phases making it incredibly varied. Picked early it can form a base wine for Methode Champenoise; a little later, it makes a wonderfully crisp, aromatic lemon-lime filled dry white. A little riper the grapes produce an excellent, slightly sweet 'Spatlese' wine, later again an 'Auslese', and so on. In Australia, crisp, minerally, citrus-led styles dominate, with regions like South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia producing the finest examples. Fish, shellfish and crustaceans are perfect partners.
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2019 Peter Lehmann H+V Hill & Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the edges. Intense lime and lemon scents are complemented by notions of talc, orange rind and light mineral. Racy lime and citrus flavours dominate the palate and lead into a mouth watering conclusion. Elements of orange rind, talc and stony minerality are also present. Crisp dry finish with a long salivating aftertaste.
Drink now or cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 11%![2024 Pewsey Vale Estate Single Vineyard Riesling]()
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2024 Pewsey Vale Estate Single Vineyard RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with highlights of green around the outskirts. Jumping out of the glass are intense lime and citrus aromas which are complimented by distinct talc, orange rind and chalky mineral notes. The super scrumptious palate is laden with mouth watering lime, lemon and orange rind flavours which meld into a green apple, chalky talc and steely mineral back drop. Excellent concentration with crisp laser like acidity leading into a long snappy finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%![2017 Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours Riesling]()
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2017 Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThe Contours Riesling is crafted from old vines grown on the coolest slope within the Pewsey Vale Contours vineyard. Bottle aged for six years before release delivers a Riesling that’s rich and complex.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a distinctive glimmer of green the outskirts and a watery hue. Intense lime and citrus aromas are complimented by toast, oily kerosene, lemon butter and spice notes. Concentrated lime and citrus fruits meld into a tertiary driven back drop of toast, lemon butter, subtle kerosene and steely mineral elements. Tense and focused but beginning to build textural volume, it features crisp, zesty acidity and finishes dry and long.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Another museum release riesling, this one a five-year-old from the sensational Contours Block of the Pewsey Vale vineyard in the High Eden Valley. Light straw in the glass with aromas of Bickfords’ lime cordial, Christmas lily, orange blossom, almond paste, wildflowers, drying grass and crushed quartz. Long and pure with some soft spice notes joining in on the palate and a focused finish that sails off slowly into the distance. Drink by 2030.
94 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![2023 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling]()
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2023 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2023-2031)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinIn 1839, shortly after his arrival from England, Joseph Gilbert started building a fine homestead in Eden Valley and planted the region’s first grapevines in 1847. Like so many vineyards in the 1920s and 30s, Pewsey Vale fell into disuse but, thankfully, its potential was rediscovered.
In 1961, pastoralist Geoffrey Angas Parsons became aware his property had once incorporated the region’s earliest vineyard and shared his discovery with good friend, and vigneron Wyndham Hill-Smith. Hill-Smith needed no further persuasion – work soon began on re-establishing Pewsey Vale Vineyard. Initially, 56 hectares of Riesling were planted in contoured rows. The several remaining hectares of these vines continue to provide fruit for Pewsey Vale Vineyard The Contours Riesling. All plantings at Pewsey Vale Vineyard are propagated from the original 1847 vines.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Leaping out of the glass are lime, citrus and orange rind scents trailed by some distinct talc and subtle steely mineral notes. Scrumptious lime and citrus fruits are underscored by crunchy acidity with notions of orange rind, chalky talc and flinty mineral elements lining the back half. Excellent intensity with a dry, tense and long snappy finish that’s laced with minerality.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews....
Riesling sourced a single vineyard way up around 490m elevation in Pewsey Vale; made by winemaker Louisa Road. When I was living in the Eden Valley, 10km or so from this vineyard, we used to call Pewsey Vale riesling 'Eden Valley San Pellegrino', such was the gusto with which we consumed it. Nothing's changed. It's classic Eden Valley riesling through and through. Fresh limes, Christmas lily, a sizzling minerally line and thirst slakingly wonderful. Vital, vivid and essential summer drinking. Drink by 2023.
94 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion
Breathtakingly pure and energetic with a linear drive of focused lime fruit and a fine bead of sherbet zest acidity. Very long, concentrated and juicy.
95 points
Decanter World Wine Awards![2022 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling]()
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2022 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$18. 99Bottle$227.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2022-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinIn 1839, shortly after his arrival from England, Joseph Gilbert started building a fine homestead in Eden Valley and planted the region’s first grapevines in 1847. Like so many vineyards in the 1920s and 30s, Pewsey Vale fell into disuse but, thankfully, its potential was rediscovered.
In 1961, pastoralist Geoffrey Angas Parsons became aware his property had once incorporated the region’s earliest vineyard and shared his discovery with good friend, and vigneron Wyndham Hill-Smith. Hill-Smith needed no further persuasion – work soon began on re-establishing Pewsey Vale Vineyard. Initially, 56 hectares of Riesling were planted in contoured rows. The several remaining hectares of these vines continue to provide fruit for Pewsey Vale Vineyard The Contours Riesling. All plantings at Pewsey Vale Vineyard are propagated from the original 1847 vines.Intensely fruited and highly scrumptious.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Leaping from the glass are intense lime and lemon scents followed by some orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. Powerful lemon, lime and orange rind flavours are bursting with energy, underpinned by crunchy acidity. Chalky talc and flinty mineral characters compliment the zesty fruit. Finishes dry with a very long and highly scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
A breathtakingly joyful wine! Stunning nose of ripe orange and melon! This is simultaneously extremely expressive, juicy and elegant on the medium-bodied palate. Near-perfect balance right through the super-mineral finish that’s super precise and really uplifting. Amazing value for money! Drink or hold. Screw cap.
96 points
JamesSuckling.comA widely loved wine in Australia, this 2022 Single Vineyard Estate Riesling shows off the many virtues of the 2022 vintage. In the mouth, it is concentrated and delicious, and it holds true to its Eden Valley regional characters of crushed rocks, flowers and intense acidity. It's a brilliant wine. One for the ages. Drink 2022-2037.
95 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate![2016 Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours Riesling]()
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2016 Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve The Contours RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2022-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThe Contours Riesling is crafted from old vines grown on the coolest slope within the Pewsey Vale Contours vineyard. Bottle aged for six years before release delivers a Riesling that’s rich and complex.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Intense lime, lemon and subtle bees wax scents are complexed by oily toast like notes and kerosene. Showing great precision and a tense feel the palate features mouth filling flavours of lemon, lime and oily toast characters over a waxy kerosene like back drop. Finishes dry with crisp acidity. Long oily yet minerally and vividly fresh aftertaste. Will continue to fill out and develop further complexity with bottle age.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
So vibrant for it’s age, this has great concentration of candied-lime and grapefruit-zest character. Terrific structure and energy on the driving palate, but all of this is wrapped in rich citrus fruit to create stunningly complete harmony. Very long and compact finish that suggests this has at least a further decade of aging potential. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
97 points
JamesSuckling.comAs is to be expected, it’s rather tightly coiled upon opening with pointy angles of acidity, nashi pear juice and a little sniff of kerosene. Once it’s settled down though (I gave it an hour), the show really begins. Minerals sparkle all over the roof of the mouth like it was the inside of a geode and the textures soften into quite the graceful and generous wine. You can taste honey melted with butter over white toast on the lips and salty oyster shell on the tip of the tongue. Crunchy lemon and lime boiled lollies stain the mid palate, a lick of crushed almonds and spice on the sides and back and up above, there’s a warming retronasal length – lemon tart just starting to bake. Drink 2025-2032.
95 points
Morgan Dunn – Winepilot.comA ripe aroma builds with warm yellow fruits before opening into lemon freshness. The palate has richness and depth, with a mineral backbone running along with the toast and burnt-lime characters. There is a trace of sweetness but then a firm, crisp finish with a twist of phenolics.
97 points - Platinum Medal
Decanter World Wine Awards 2022The 2016 The Contours Riesling leads with cold buttered toast, creamed honey, fennel seeds and brine, while in the mouth, the wine expands to fill every available space. This is rich, complex and so fresh. It's kindly held back in the cellar for our drinking pleasure, so it is definitely ready for immediate consumption; but should you choose to rest this another decade or two, that would also be great. Drink 2022-2037.
95 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate![2021 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling]()
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2021 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2021-2029)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinIn 1839, shortly after his arrival from England, Joseph Gilbert started building a fine homestead in Eden Valley and planted the region’s first grapevines in 1847. Like so many vineyards in the 1920s and 30s, Pewsey Vale fell into disuse but, thankfully, its potential was rediscovered.
In 1961, pastoralist Geoffrey Angas Parsons became aware his property had once incorporated the region’s earliest vineyard and shared his discovery with good friend, and vigneron Wyndham Hill-Smith. Hill-Smith needed no further persuasion – work soon began on re-establishing Pewsey Vale Vineyard. Initially, 56 hectares of Riesling were planted in contoured rows. The several remaining hectares of these vines continue to provide fruit for Pewsey Vale Vineyard The Contours Riesling. All plantings at Pewsey Vale Vineyard are propagated from the original 1847 vines.
Brilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Pronounced lime, citrus and orange rind scents jump out of the glass followed by talc and steely mineral notes. Crunchy lemon, lime and green apple fruits have a racy feel across the palate with subtle orange rind and slatey mineral characters lying underneath. Finishes dry and crisp with a long scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com![904781_1.jpg]()
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2013 Pewsey Vale The Contours RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$33. 99Bottle$407.88 DozenCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like green tinged colour. Pronounced lemon and lime scents are followed by steely kerosene like characters, light spicy toast and mineral notes. The palate is distinguished by its intense lemon and lime flavours which are infused with wet steel. Oily toast back drop and a mineral laden finish. A distinct yet fine line of racy acidity provides superb structure. Excellent length with a long steely aftertaste of lemon and lime, oily toast like characters, kerosene and minerals.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%![2022 Picher-Krutzler Loiben Riesling]()
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Picher-Krutzler Loiben RieslingWachau, AUSTRIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinTense and racy with a dry, minerally yet also slightly waxy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Elevated lime, pear and red apple scents mix with hints of bees wax, lemon butter and subtle oily toast like notes. Zippy lime, red apple and lemon fruits are underscored by crisp acidity which imparts a tense, racy feel. Delicate bees wax, toast and steely mineral elements sit beneath. Finishes, dry, minerally and racy yet also slightly waxy in it’s feel.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12%![2024 Pikes Traditionale Riesling]()
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2024 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinPikes have long produced one of Clare Valley’s benchmark Rieslings, 2024 marking the 40th release, one which was a smooth, uninterrupted growing season that shows more forthcoming and bolder fruit whilst sacrificing nothing in terms of structure and length. Fruit is sourced predominately from the Estate’s Polish Hill River vineyard with the balance coming from growers located in the Watervale, Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro districts. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel on lees for 3 months.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Leaping from the glass are intense lime and citrus scents which are complimented by orange rind, chalky talc and mineral notes. Zesty and racy in its feel, concentrated lime, lemon and green apple fruits fill the mouth with crisp mineral infused acidity the spine. Also evident are some subtle chalky talc and wet steel elements. Showing good tension it finishes dry, long and scrumptious.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
Consistently one of the finest Rieslings from Clare, especially when you consider value for money. This vintage turned out really well for Riesling in Clare. Most of the fruit comes from Pike’s Polish Hill River vineyards with the balance from other vineyards throughout the region. There is a degree of tension yet there is power and intensity with a fine minerality and subtle citrus tang. Lovely wine for current drinking and for the cellar. Drink 2024-2034.
95 points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comIf there is a more reliable wine, which can provide better value than this one, anywhere in Australia, please let me know. Sourced half from estate vineyards and half from growers throughout the Clare Valley, this is the 40th consecutive release of this wine, a fine achievement. Free run juice only and then three months post fermentation on lees. A pale yellow hue, the nose exhibits typical lemon/lime aromas, with florals, grapefruit pith, river stones and oystershells. A classic Clare Riesling, everything is in place. It offers a gentle balance, with fresh acidity and impressive length. A wine which will easily see ten to fifteen years in a good cellar (I’d be prepared to put money that every single previous release, from the time they started using screwcaps more than twenty years ago, would still be drinking well – these things will rival the Californian redwoods for longevity). Drink 2024-2039.
94 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com
The 2024 Traditionale Dry Riesling is dry and succulent, with ripe lime and Granny Smith apple, lemon pith and white pepper. This is magnificently delicious, with talc-like phenolics that shape the mid-palate and long finish. It is an excellent value for money, at $28 AUD / $17 USD. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2034.
93 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate![2024 Pikes The Merle Riesling]()
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2024 Pikes The Merle RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2024-2034)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinNamed in tribute to Pike’s family matriarch, ‘The Merle’ is a selection of the best parcels of Riesling from their Polish Hill River Estate.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Bursting out of the glass are intense lime, citrus and orange rind aromas which are trailed by some green apple, talc and steely mineral notes. Tense and focused, the riveting palate features concentrated flavours of lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple. Chiselled acidity lends a taut sculptured feel with subtle orange rind, chalky talc, wet steel and flinty mineral elements extending across the back half. Outstanding power with a long, bracing finish that’s delivered with laser like precision.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews…..
While the Traditionale is regularly one of the very best in its price bracket (and often well above it), The Merle never fails to sit among the very best releases of Clare Riesling, year after year, no matter what price bracket you quote. For me, this is one of our iconic Rieslings. The colour for this latest release is a near transparent lemon. The wine is elegant and refined, fresh and focused and offers drive, impeccable balance and endless length. A line of sea breeze acidity runs the length, the intensity never drops for a moment, and that freshness is still evident throughout. Fabulous stuff, this latest release is a worthy addition to the lineage. Enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2044.
97 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comI'd be happy to lie on my back and have someone drip feed this Pikes The Merle Riesling into my mouth for the rest of my days. What an impeccable wine this is. Pure, focused, detailed and delicate all at the same time, class oozes from every pore.
It's a supreme exercise in precision and highlights the gift that the Clare Valley subregion of Polish Hill River is to the production of this fabulous variety.
Only made in exceptional years, specific parcels were selected and it was made exactly the same as the Traditionale Riesling.
Limes, lime leaf and green apple feature large but carry themselves with fabulous humility. Lemongrass and grapefruit add detail with a river stone minerality that threads its way through the frame. Pretty white field flowers offer a fresh and vibrant aroma that calls you back time and gain.
The 2024 Clare Valley Rieslings are absolutely humming and be sure to pop The Merle down as one of the wines that you need to track down. Drink to ten years+
97 points
QWineReviews.com
The 2024 The Merle Riesling is powerful and tightly controlled, with a long spool of flavor—lemongrass, white pepper, cheesecloth, bay leaf and scratched lime—that draws out over the finish. I like this wine in its youth, and I like it as an older wine as well. It's very smart and eloquently of place. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2044
96 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate![2023 Pikes Traditionale Riesling]()
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2023 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinPikes have long produced one of Clare Valley’s benchmark Rieslings, 2023 marking the 39th release, one which was a cooler vintage with the long ripening period delivering fruit with high natural acidity and concentrated flavours. Fruit is sourced predominately from the Estate’s Polish Hill River vineyard with the balance coming from growers located in the Watervale, Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro districts. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel on lees for 3 months.
Brilliant water like core with a greenish tinged outskirts. Engulfing the nostrils are intense lime, citrus and orange rind scents followed by some talc and chalky mineral notes. Bursting across the mouth watering palate is a concentrate of lemon and lime fruit. Notions of orange rind, green apple, chalky talc and steely mineral characteristics linger across the back half. Super scrumptious and powerful it has a chalky like texture and crunchy acidity. Finishes long and zippy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%![2022 Pikes The Merle Riesling]()
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2022 Pikes The Merle RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinOther Reviews....
This is still extremely youthful, the nose pure lemon sherbet in the first moment, but slowly revealing a wide spectrum of citrus notes, including lemon blossom. Very racy and tightly wound on the concentrated and sleek palate. You need to like acidity to fully appreciate the samurai sword-like finish at this early stage in its life. Drinkable now, but best from 2024. Screw cap.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.comThe 2022 The Merle Riesling is a product of the excellent 2022 season that birthed it. The Merle is traditionally a structural and streamlined wine, and this vintage iteration continues the established theme. Lithe, almost muscular and loaded with juicy acidity, this wine, in this year, deserves to be put down for a while. With pureness, strength, fruit power, coiled, springy acidity and length for days, this is sensational Riesling. Drink 2023 - 2033.
96 Points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe purity of this is quite something. It’s more than that of course, it has a semblance of texture, and lots of length, and enough spread to the flavour profile to keep it from seeming simple. It also has some X factor, or something difficult to describe, which just makes you feel in the most confident and reassuring of hands. But the purity, well, it gets you in the feels, it’s the land and the vines in an embrace so tight they seem as one, like the sound of the sea inside a shell. Clare Valley Riesling. More than a cliche. Twist the top and you’re there. Drink 2022 - 2035+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front![2022 Pikes Traditionale Riesling]()
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2022 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2022-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinPikes have long produced one of Clare Valley’s benchmark Rieslings, 2022 marking the 38th release, one which is widely considered as a superb vintage for Riesling. Fruit is sourced predominately from the Estate’s Polish Hill River vineyard with the balance coming from growers located in the Watervale, Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro districts. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel on lees for 3 months.
As good a Riesling from Pikes as we can remember.
Brilliant water like core with distinct highlights of green around the edges. Jumping from the glass are intense lime and citrus aromatics which are trailed by green apple, subtle orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. Exceptionally concentrated lime and citrus fruits are thrust across the mouth watering palate with great force. Crunchy acidity underpins the super scrumptious fruit with some Granny Smith apple, orange rind, chalky talc and mineral elements rendered across the back half. Magnificent power with a very long snap fresh aftertaste. Outstanding.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%![2021 Pikes The Merle Riesling]()
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2021 Pikes The Merle RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2021-2029)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinNamed after the family matriarch, ‘The Merle’ is selected from the best parcels of Riesling on the Pikes Polish Hill River Estate. Only produced in exceptional years it’s fermented in stainless steel tanks and spends 3 months on lees to provide additional depth and texture. The winemaking team at Pikes believe the 2021 vintage is up there with their best years.
Brilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Intense lime, citrus and orange rind scents jump out of the glass followed by talc and slatey mineral notes. Racy lime and citrus fruits power across the mouth watering palate underpinned by zingy acidity. Elements of orange rind, talc and chalky mineral characters show a lingering persistence on the back half. Superb flavour concentration finishing dry and very long.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
This has very intense aromas of lime and wet slate with some sweeter florals, as well as white nectarine. So fresh. The palate has intensity and drive, with the same fresh lime and white-nectarine flavors. Very long and vivid. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
97 points
JamesSuckling.comAn imperial standard, of sorts!
Lemongrass, lime cordial, green apples. Huzzah! A touch of blackcurrant too? Perhaps. Attractive, varietal scents. Zingy and energetic to taste, compact, bracing with its core of steely, lemon juice acidity. Pent up, powerful, tight and very long. Bone dry. Excellent, classic expression. A Very Good Example. Drink 2021-2040.
95 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine FrontMerle Pike is the mother of founders, Andrew and Neil Pike, matriarch of the family, and she would be bursting with pride at what Andrew and his team have achieved with these latest wines (Neil is now enjoying retirement and more likely seen with a golf club in hand than a wine glass). The chief winemaker now is Steve Baraglia. I met Mrs Pike on several occasions and a more gracious and lovely person would be hard to imagine. This wine is a fitting tribute (I always remember her saying that she didn’t know why they turned the sauvignon blanc grapes into wine – it was so much nicer as grape juice).
In the early days, Pikes released a Reserve Riesling but from early this century, it has been named, ‘The Merle’. It is made only from grapes grown on the estate and not produced every year. No 2007 for example. There are some truly brilliant Rieslings made in the Clare Valley, and this sits comfortably with any of them.
Even paler than the Traditionale, if that is possible, again we have the wonderful lifted aromas and pronounced flavours but this wine is more subtle, and even though very early days, there is more complexity. Terrific intensity here, incredible length and perfect structure. This wine offers more chalky soil notes (or at least, that is what it appears to do), along with those beautiful fresh lime characters. This is a stunning Riesling. The flavours explode across the palate. It has a life of twenty years ahead of it and many more, if you can be that patient.
If there is a better Riesling made in Australia this decade, I want to know about it. $55 might seem hefty for a local Riesling but in world terms, this is criminally cheap. This is so close to perfect, it deserves full points but I think it might just get even better and I need the wiggle room. Drink 2021-2045.
99 points
Ken Gargett – Winepilot![2021 Pikes Traditionale Riesling]()
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2021 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2021-2027)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinPikes have long produced one of Clare Valley’s benchmark Rieslings, 2021 marking the 37th release, one which the Pikes family believe is one of the best from the last decade. Fruit is sourced predominately from the Estate’s Polish Hill River vineyard with the balance coming from growers located in the Watervale, Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro districts. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel on lees for 3 months.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Intense lime and citrus aromas jump out of the glass with orange rind, talc and chalky mineral scents also evident. Powering across the mouth watering palate with great concentration are lime, citrus and orange rind fruits. Finishes dry with crunchy acidity, elements of chalky talc and flinty mineral characters lying underneath. Long, utterly scrumptious conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
Bright lime and apple aromas here with a very fresh stance. Some white peach in the mix, too. The palate has a wealth of powerful lime and white-peach flavor with good depth and concentration. Impressive. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 points
JamesSuckling.comPure joy here! Lime zest, lemon pith, citrus blossom, brine, green apple skins and plenty of plush – almost ripe – stone fruit on the palate. This is generous and attractive, the acidity providing the tension and structure that it needs to elevate it into deliciousness. And delicious it is. Drink by 2031.
93 points
Erin Larkin – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionPretty much the perfect vintage in Clare. It has resulted in some memorable wines and this classy value for money offering delivers with typical style and poise; crunchy lively lemon pith with a zesty citrus tang. The zingy acid carries the palate through to a fully extended finish leaving the mouth fresh and alive. Drink 2021-2031.
94 points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot![005082155_1.jpg]()
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2020 Pikes The Merle Reserve RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2020-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinNamed after the family matriarch, ‘The Merle’ is selected from the best parcels of Riesling on the Pikes Polish Hill River Estate. Only produced in exceptional years it’s fermented in stainless steel tanks and spends 3 months on lees to provide additional depth and texture.
Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge running around the edges. Leaping out of the glass are powerful lime, citrus and orange rind aromatics with talc and subtle steely mineral notes also evident. An intense hit of lemon and lime fruits bursts across the palate underpinned by racy, taut like acidity. Elements of orange rind, chalky minerals, talc and wet stone then flow onto the back half. The fantastic acid structure winds things up tightly and provides great focus but in no way dampens the superb fruit intensity. Finishes dry, steely and super long.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
Pikes' flagship, but also a Clare Valley flagship. It's not often a 6-month-old riesling can be described as luscious, but that's the impact of this wine. It's citrus focused, of course, and it also has keynote acidity, but it's the honeyed mouthfeel and flavour that hits the jackpot. Drink by 2035.
98 points
James Halliday – The Australian Wine Companion![05082052_1.jpg]()
- 95
- 96
2020 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2020-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinPikes have long produced one of Clare Valley’s benchmark Rieslings, 2020 marking the 36th release, one which the Pikes family believe will sit comfortably amongst their best vintages. Fruit is sourced predominately from the Estate’s Polish Hill River vineyard with the balance coming from growers located in the Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro districts. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel on lees for 3 months.
A superb Clare Valley Riesling combining razor like precision with intense lemon and lime fruits.
Brilliant water like core with a subtle tinge of green running around the outskirts. Leaping out of the glass is a classic mix of lemon and lime trailed by scents of green apple, orange rind and chalky talc. Intense lemon and lime juice flavours burst across the palate underpinned by crunchy acidity with nuances of orange rind, talc and steely mineral characters drifting in on the back half. Superb precision and power finishing dry with a long scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
Elegance is the cornerstone of this lovely riesling, with a flawless serenade of citrus allsorts, its spine of acidity a contradiction in terms, because it's almost sweet - an illusion, of course. An each-way proposition for now or later consumption. Drink by 2035.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion![70099041_1.jpg]()
- 95
- 95
2018 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2019-2027)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinClassic Clare Valley Riesling
Pikes are a model of consistency when it comes to Riesling, year after year it proves to be one of the highlights of the Clare valley set.
Brilliant water like colour with highlights of green around the edges. Pronounced aromas of lime juice and citrus jump out of the glass followed by some granny smith apple, orange rind, chalky talc and mineral notes. Dominating the palate are intense lime juice and citrus flavours which have a tangy feel. Orange rind, green apple and steely mineral elements are also present. Finishes dry with crunchy acidity, excellent length and a long lime juice infused aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
Employs estate and contract-grown fruit from Polish Hill River, Watervale and Sevenhill. It's a delicious wine with lime juice the dominant fruit, backed by balanced acidity. Some vignerons fared better than others in the vintage, Pikes on the good side. Drink by 2030.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine CompanionInvariably find myself drinking a few bottles of this over the warmer months.
Some spice and kaffir lime leaf, juicy citrus, pithy and chalky texture, a nice energy about it, delivering juicy flavour, crunch and a pretty impressive mouth-watering stony finish. Some gin and tonic sweetness/bitterness in the aftertaste. Excellent. Drink 2018-2025+
93 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front![906508_1.jpg]()
- 96
- 96
2018 Pikes The Merle RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2020-2028)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with distinct highlights of green around the outskirts. Intense lime and green apple aromatics are complexed by emerging oily kerosene like notes with citrus, light toast and spice also evident. Concentrated lime and citrus flavours have a steely underbelly with orange rind, subtle toast and traces oily kersosene characters then moving in. Crunchy acidity. Excellent drive with a long finish that builds textural momentum as it sails on.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%
Other Reviews….
Sourced entirely from Pikes' Polish Hill River vineyard. It may well be, as Neil Pike says, made for the 8 to 10-year long haul, but I'd be very happy to have a glass tonight. It's beautifully balanced and spacious - not a word that I use often - thus allowing the complexity and texture to build with grace. Drink by 2033.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion
I think we have here, a Merle that drinks very well from the get-go.
It’s so irresistibly limey and juicy, you can’t help but love it straight away. Aside that, intensity, fine chalky feel, and superb length. It grabs the ball, runs flat out, and finishes with a flourish. Great now, but no hurry. You get the picture, I hope, without so many words.
95+ points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front![6639373_1.jpg]()
- 96
2017 Pikes RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2023-2025)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinThis is the 33rd release of Pikes Riesling, consistently rated as one of Clare Valley's best. Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Pronounced aromatics of lime juice, citrus and orange rind are followed by green apple and chalky talc like notes. Zippy lime and citrus flavours interspersed by a racy line of acidity show plenty of intensity on the palate. Also present are nuances of crunchy green apple, subtle orange rind, talc and mineral. Dry crisp finish. Excellent length with a long lime, citrus, orange rind, green apple and steely mineral aftertaste.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%![2025 Pikes The Merle Riesling]()
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- 95
- 97
2025 Pikes The Merle RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2025-2035)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinTaut and tense in it’s structure yet showing superb drive and concentration.
Named in tribute to Pike’s family matriarch, ‘The Merle’ is a selection of the best parcels of Riesling from their Polish Hill River Estate.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. A mix of lime, citrus, orange and green apple scents attack the nostrils with plenty of intensity. Trailing notes of talc, chalky mineral characters then chime in. Tense yet concentrated, racy lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple flavours are sculptured by a crisp line of acidity. Terrific drive with wet steel, chalky talc and mineral elements lingering through the long taut, linear finish.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
The flagship Riesling from the team comes from the estate vineyard in the Polish Hill River sub-region in the Clare valley. 100% free run juice with four months on lees. As always, this will sit with the very finest Rieslings made in the region for the vintage. Very pale steel/lemon in hue, this is still extremely youthful. Taut, poised and tightly focused, the nose reveals notes of grapefruits, lemongrass, florals, wet slate, limes and jasmine. There is a fine line of acidity running the length. Excellent energy throughout, this is a juicy style, immaculately balanced, with an extremely long finish. It will still be amazing wine lovers in two decades, likely longer. Drink 2025-2045.
97 points
Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com
This has always been a special wine for Pikes, and the fruit is sourced from the best parts of the Polish Hill River estate. Made similarly to the Traditional, with 100% free-run juice, however receives a slightly longer time on lees, providing a balance with that fine natural acidity and producing a textural mouthfeel that loses nothing as far as maintaining that linear line through to the finish. The nose displays that citrus lime character and a slightly pebbly talc-like influence. There is real intensity and drive through the palate here, and it extends effortlessly but with purpose through to a long finish. It’s a lovely wine. Drink 2025-2040.
95 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comThis is from the best parcels of Riesling from their Polish Hill River estate. In other news, I’ve finally thrown in the towel and started wearing reading glasses. This at the ripe old age of 55. I have to say, I find them annoying to wear while tasting because my glass often touches the frames. On the upside, I do look very handsome in them, and they probably raise my IQ by a few points. Anyway, I think of our own BBPP when I taste this wine, which makes me frown a bit, thus offering an extra dimension to my new found reading glasses wearing persona.
Quite some perfume here. I’m thinking lemongrass, lavender, bath salts, and fresh cut ginger. Lime juice and pink grapefruit, a fine dusty feel to it, and a something of a gin and tonic refreshment value. The acidity is juicy and firm, but not hard, and the finish is very long, spicy and chalky. There’s purity and restraint here, and it feels like it will do very well in the cellar. Drink 2026-2037+
95 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front![1056176_1.jpg]()
- 96
- 94
2019 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2019-2025)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinOne of Clare’s most consistent Rieslings. Brilliant water like colour with a greenish tinged outskirts. Potent lime, green apple, citrus and orange rind scents fill the nostrils with talc and hints of chalky minerals also evident. Intense lemon and lime flavours lead into a mouth watering finish that’s lined with racy acidity. Nuances of green apple, wet steel, light talc and minerals also chime in on the long linear aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11%
Other Reviews....
Traditional by all means as it winds its way across the palate in typical Pikes style, offering as much today as it will in 5+ years time. It has the full range of riesling flavour at a minimal alcohol level. Drink by 2029.
94 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion![6639599_1.jpg]()
- 95
2017 Pipers Brook RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2018-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with a light greenish tinge around the outskirts. Lifted ripe lime aromas meld into some green apple and citrus followed hints of orange blossom and mineral. The palate delivers concentrated flavours of limes, oranges and citrus within a zesty feel followed by infusions of flinty mineral on the crisp dry finish. Long zippy aftertaste of fresh limes, subtle orange infusions, citrus and flinty mineral.
Drink now or cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%![2021 Pipers Brook Estate Riesling]()
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2021 Pipers Brook Estate RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2022-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts. Zesty lime and lemon aromas are followed by Granny Smith apple and steely mineral notes. Searing acidity underpins a zippy flavour profile of lime and lemon. Crunchy green apple, wet steel and flinty mineral characters ensue. Finishes dry and very crisp with a tense razor sharp aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%![2022 Pizzini Riesling]()
- 95
2022 Pizzini RieslingKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2023-2031)ABV: 11.9%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with a distinctive greenish tinge to the outskirts. Leaping out of the glass are intense lemon and lime juice aromas trailed by some green apple, subtle wet steel and mineral like notes. Flooding the mouth are crunchy lemon and lime fruits which are delivered with superb drive and focus. Racy in its feel with zippy acidity and an undercarriage of Granny Smith apple, wet steel and flinty mineral elements lingering well into the long mouth watering finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.9%![908747_1.jpg]()
- 93
2021 Pizzini RieslingKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2021-2027)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinBrilliant very pale straw colour with a distinct ring of green around the edges and a watery hue. Lemon, lime and granny smith apple scents mix with chalky talc and flinty mineral notes. Racy lemon and lime flavours meld into crunchy green apple, wet steel and mineral characters. Dry finish with crisp acidity providing plenty of zip to a tangy aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11%![2024 Plantagenet Angevin Riesling]()
- 95
2024 Plantagenet Angevin RieslingGreat Southern, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA zesty Great Southern Riesling that shows plenty of tension and focus.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with flashes of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Lime, lemon and green apple scents burst out of the glass trailed by some chalky talc and mineral notes. Crunchy lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple fruits are threaded by a line of zesty acidity which lends tension and focus. Chalky talc and steely mineral elements extend across the long crisp finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%![2023 Plantagenet Angevin Riesling]()
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Plantagenet Angevin RieslingGreat Western, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant very pale straw almost water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Elevated lime and lemon aromas infused with wet steel are followed by some orange rind and flinty mineral notes. Tightly coiled and tense but concentrated the palate possesses laser like focus with a core of lime, lemon and green apple fruits framed by crisp acidity. Wet steel and chalky mineral elements lingering through the long precise and dry finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%![2024 Poonawatta The Eden Riesling]()
- 96
2024 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11.8%Closure: StelvinConcentrated and mouth watering with crisp acidity lending a steely feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the edges. Intense lime and lemon aromas jump out of the glass followed by some orange rind, chalky talc, Granny Smith apple and steely mineral notes. Mouth watering lime, lemon and green apple fruits carve out a crunchy feel across the palate with chalky talc, orange rind and flinty mineral elements in the background. Crisp acidity lending a steely feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.8%![2023 Poonawatta The Eden Riesling]()
- 95
- Reduced
2023 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $34.99$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.2%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with a distinct greenish tinge around the edges. Bounding from the glass are intense lime and citrus aromas which are intermeshed with orange rind, chalky talc and mineral notes. Mouth watering lime and citrus fruits are layered across the scrumptious palate with terrific concentration and textural volume. Notions of orange rind, green apple, talc and chalky mineral elements ensue. Finishes dry with crunchy acidity and a long thirst quenching aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.2%![2022 Poonawatta The Eden Riesling]()
- 93
- 93
2022 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2029-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with highlights of green around the outskirts. Scents of lemon and lime join up with Granny Smith apple, wet steel and flinty mineral notes. Crunchy lime juice, lemon and Granny Smith apple fruits are underscored by steely acidity which imparts a tense feel. Finishes dry, minerally and very crisp with a focused aftertaste that has lots of zip to it.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
Riesling sourced from a 1972-established vineyard in Flaxman Valley, 5km north of Eden Valley township. Pale straw in the glass and smelling crisp and pure with juicy limes, orange blossom, crushed quartz and light marzipan notes. Swift and true, it sets a brisk pace across the palate thanks to sizzling acidity and great clarity, finishing with and a blast of freshly squeezed limes and green apple. Drink by 2028.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![500330817_1.jpg]()
- 96
2021 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2021-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThe Eden is produced from a single vineyard located in the heart of the Eden Valley region, established in1972. These old vines cling to the poorest soils on the Poonawatta property; the lean environment keeping the yields low, flavours concentrated and the fruit pure.
Boasting superb intensity and power, this is one for the Riesling purists.
Brilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Powerful lemon and lime aromatics soar out of the glass with talc, orange rind and subtle steely mineral notes ensuing. Mouth watering lemon and lime flavours display terrific intensity and drive backed by crunchy acidity. Dry, crisp finish with a very long scrumptious aftertaste. Superb.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%![907196_1.jpg]()
- 96
2019 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 12.2%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with a distinctive greenish tinge around the rim. Intense lime juice and granny smith apple aromas jump out of the glass followed by lemon, steely notes, light chalky talc and mineral. Racy lime, lemon and green apple flavours are carried by a spine of steely acidity with chalky mineral characters in the background. Dry crunchy finish with plenty of tension on the long mouth watering aftertaste.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.2%![2019 Powell & Son Eden Valley Steinert Riesling]()
- 96
2019 Powell & Son Eden Valley Steinert RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2022-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Intense lime and citrus aromas are intertwined with oily toast like characters, subtle lemon butter and light kerosene notes. The palate is just beginning to show signs of development with lime and lemon flavours overlaying a back drop of kerosene, oily toast like characters, wet steel and a dash of spice. Nicely rounded texturally it finishes dry with crisp acidity and a long flavoursome yet tightly wound aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%![61216842167_1.jpg]()
- 95
2018 Powell & Son Eden Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2019-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant very pale straw colour with a tint of green to the edges and a watery hue. Pronounced lime and lemon scents meld into hints of orange rind with subtle toasty kerosene and mineral notes also apparent. On the palate there’s good intensity to the lime and lemon flavours which sit over orange rind, light toast and steely mineral elements. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a long lemon and lime dominated aftertaste.
Drink now or cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%![2023 Precious Little Riesling]()
- 95
2023 Precious Little RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with green tinged edges. Intense lime, citrus and orange rind scents jump out of the glass followed by some distinct talc and chalky mineral notes. Crunchy lime, citrus and orange rind flavours are delivered with terrific concentration and volume across the palate. Chalky talc and steely mineral characters lie underneath. Crisp, tart like acidity finishing dry, long and scrumptious.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%![2022 Precious Little Riesling]()
- 94
2022 Precious Little RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2022-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with a distinctive glimmer of green around the outskirts. Lifted lime, green apple and lemon aromas mix with some talc and chalky mineral notes. Intense lime and citrus fruits show terrific drive across the crunchy palate. Green apple, wet steel and chalky mineral characters provide underlying support. Finishes dry with mouth watering acidity and a long scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%![2021 Precious Little Riesling]()
- 94
2021 Precious Little RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2021-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant very pale straw colour with a light tinge of green around the edges and a watery hue. Intense lime and citrus aromas jump out of the glass with hints of orange rind and chalky talc also evident. Crunchy lime and lemon fruits dominate the palate with elements of orange rind, chalky talc and minerals lying underneath. Good volume in the mouth finishing dry and crisp with a long mouth watering aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%![44034854_1.jpg]()
- 99
2019 Prinz Schonhell Riesling Grosses GewachsRheingau, GERMANY$115. 00Bottle$1380.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Joyful nose of blossoms and fresh herbs. So concentrated, yet so elegant, this lifts you off your feet and pulls you in the direction of the heavens. Such perfect balance and so much finesse through the super long finish. From organically grown grapes.
99 points
Stuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com![2024 Ravensworth Regional Riesling]()
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Ravensworth Regional RieslingMurrumbateman, NSW, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA dry, tangy Riesling that has good textural flesh.
Fermented and matured on lees in Italian concrete tulips. Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Lifted lime and green apple skin aromas greet the nostrils followed by pear skin, mandarin and stony mineral notes. Lining the palate are flavours of pear, red apple skin and lime with some delicate honeysuckle, orange blossom infusion and minerals lying underneath. Good textural flesh with crunchy acidity and a long, dry, tangy mineral infused conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12%![2023 Ravensworth Regional Riesling]()
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- 96
2023 Ravensworth Regional RieslingCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinFermented in Italian concrete and amphora. Brilliant pale straw colour with flashes of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Drifting from the glass are aromas of lime, red apple, orange blossom and honeysuckle followed by hints of mandarin and subtle flinty notes. Racing across the palate are lime and tangy mandarin fruits with some lemon, orange rind, faint honeysuckle and wet steel lingering through the back half. Zippy, mineral infused acidity finishing bone dry, tense and taut.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews…..
Fruit sourced from the Canberra District including estate-grown and the Hilltops region. Then, as is the Bryan Martin way, there’s some skin contact to bolster texture and fine phenolics before it all settles in vessels of concrete, ceramic and seasoned foudre. This is something else and delicious. Heady aromatics wafts of lemon blossom, ginger flower and spices, yet the palate steals the show. Textural, waxy, stony and complex with a silk-line of acidity all the way through. A cracking drink on its own or with food. Drink by 2033.
96 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![904604_1.jpg]()
- 86
2018 Raw Vine Estate Preservative Free RieslingAUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: 2 - 3 Years (2020-2021)ABV: 10.5%Closure: StelvinCertified organic. Brilliant pale straw colour with a glimmer of green to the edges. Aromas of lime and green apple are followed by pear and a hint of grapefruit. Light, taut and lean the palate is delicately flavoured with lime juice and green apple flavours. Finishes dry and steely with sour citrus like acidity and a modest aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 10.5%![2023 Reed White Heart Riesling]()
- 95
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Reed White Heart RieslingMount Alexander, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinTaut and tight yet concentrated and expressive with an edgy feel to the long zippy finish.
Sierra Reed’s winemaking journey began in New Zealand whilst filming and interviewing the Family of Twelve (a fraternity of New Zealand’s most prestigious and elite wineries). This inspired her to become completely immersed in winemaking taking on vintages around the world from Napa Valley to Barolo, Germany, Barossa and beyond, eventually making her own wines in 2015.
Aged predominantly in stainless steel on lees for 6 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Lemon and lime scents burst out of the glass trailed by some Granny Smith apple skin, wet steel and flinty mineral notes. Taut and tight yet concentrated and expressive, the palate features mouth filling lime, lemon and green to red apple fruit over traces of honeysuckle, wet steel and flinty mineral elements. Crisp acidity lends an edgy feel to the long zippy finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%![2022 Reed Coeur White Heart Reserve Riesling]()
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2022 Reed Coeur White Heart Reserve RieslingGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 11.7%Closure: StelvinSierra Reed’s winemaking journey began in New Zealand whilst filming and interviewing the Family of Twelve (a fraternity of New Zealand’s most prestigious and elite wineries). This inspired her to become completely immersed in winemaking taking on vintages around the world from Napa Valley to Barolo, Germany, Barossa and beyond, eventually making her own wines in 2015.
Aged on lees for 6 months this Riesling displays a brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle greenish tone to the edges and a watery hue. Elevated pear, red apple and lime aromas intermingle with honeysuckle, hints of quince and a faint whiff of orange blossom. Luscious pear, lime and red apple fruits draped in honeysuckle finish off dry with a twist of tangy mandarin also chiming in. Concludes long and scrumptious with racy mineral infused acidity.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.7%![904943_1.jpg]()
- 95
2012 Reillys Watervale Riesling Museum ReleaseClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: 1 - 2 Years (2020-2021)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBright straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Elevated lime and citrus aromas meld into oily toast, lemon butter characters, petroleum and subtle steely nuances. Rich citrus, lime and honeyed toast like characters fill out the palate giving it an oily rounded feel. Lemon butter and kerosene elements are also present. Sufficient acidity, excellent length and a long honeyed citrus, toast, subtle lime, kerosene and spice aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%![5755565_1.jpg]()
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2017 Reillys R Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2017-2023)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinFrom the stellar 2017 vintage, this Riesling combines fantastic flavour intensity with racy acidity.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts. The nose shows terrific intensity with classic lemon and lime aromas jumping out of the glass underscored by notions of talc, light wet steel and mineral. Concentrated lemon and lime flavours are underpinned by racy acidity with elements of subtle orange rind, talc and wet steel also chiming in. Finishes dry with crisp crunchy acidity and a long mouth watering lemon, lime, wet steel, talc and mineral aftertaste.
Drink now or cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%![2022 Reillys Watervale Riesling]()
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2022 Reillys Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2022-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with gleaming tints of green around the edges. Bursting out of the glass are intense lemon and lime scents with some orange rind, chalky talc and mineral notes also evident. Scrumptious lemon, lime and orange rind fruits are delivered with terrific concentration and underpinned by crunchy acidity. Finishes dry and crisp with some chalky talc and steely mineral characters lingering on the long thirst quenching aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5%
