2024 Hatch Watervale Riesling

Racy and mouth watering with superb intensity and drive.

Chris Hatcher, affectionately known as Hatch, has been a winemaker for almost 50 years including more than 35 years at Wolf Blass where he picked up numerous awards including the Jimmy Watson Trophy and three time IWSC international winemaker of the year. Having recently retired from the corporate winemaking scene Hatch has embarked on his own personal venture for which his first releases have received widespread critical acclaim.
Brilliant water like core with green toned edges. Intense lemon and lime scents are followed by some Granny Smith apple, chalky talc and mineral notes. Racy lime, lemon and green apple fruits are delivered with superb intensity and drive across the mouth watering palate. Infusions of fresh herbs and chalky mineral elements lie underneath. Crisp acidity finishing long and zippy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%

Other Reviews…..
Clare Valley Riesling, here from the Watervale sub-region, is one of the great gems of the Aussie wine treasure chest. For me, while the Flaxman’s might have been lineball with last year’s release, this is surely a step-up. A must for the cellar. Pale gleaming lemon in colour, the nose offers us exquisite floral notes and citrus, especially grapefruit. Fragrant and elegant, we have spices, limes and hints of river stones. Such balance! A majestic Riesling. There is a riot of flavour and yet an arcade of elegance. We have a line of oyster shell acidity, while the wine really does have impeccable balance (worth mentioning twice) and superb length. A Riesling which will drink beautifully, ageing gracefully, over the next fifteen to twenty years. Love it. Given Chris Hatcher’s decades of experience in the Aussie wine industry and his contacts, I guess it is no surprise. Drink 2025-2045.
97 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

A spicy, sleek, tightly wound riesling of intensity, inward concentration, true lime and pink grapefruit characters, a touch of floral lift. There's a lick of nutty savouriness underlying, too. So energetic, vigorous and frisky. It's classic stuff, done well, and with stuffing in the wine. Yes thanks. Drink by 2040.
95 Points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion