2025 Nicks Secret CSS Single Vineyard Watervale Riesling

This is the estate’s Reserve Riesling crafted from dry grown old vines (80+ years old). 2025 was one of the driest, warmest, and earliest vintages that the Clare Valley has ever seen resulting in low yields but exceptional fruit quality.

Tense and zippy with an electrifying line of acidity sculpting the long driving finish.

Brilliant water like core with a greenish tinge to the edges. Intensely scented, the nose offers up lime juice and lemon aromas which are complimented by green apple, chalky talc and slatey mineral like notes. Racy lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple fruits are sculptured by a line of electrifying acidity. Chalky talc, wet steel and flinty mineral elements extend across the back half. Superb drive finishing long, tense and zippy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11%

Other Reviews….
Another superb Clare Valley Riesling from the Watervale sub-region, the fruit comes from a dry grown vineyard with vines in excess of eighty years of age. 100% free run juice. This is exceptional value. The very gentlest pale lemon colour, the wine offers a gorgeous nose, wonderfully aromatic, with lime blossoms, spices, white jasmine, river stones, florals and a line of minerally support. Beautifully crafted with excellent length, there is bright, zesty acidity running the full length. Finely balanced, the wine will provide pleasure for at least the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041.
95 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

The wine exhibits precision and excellent clarity, presenting aromas of crisp apple, green rockmelon, lime zest, and lemon pith, complemented by a hint of floral notes. On the palate, it is brilliantly focused, showing outstanding fruit purity and balance, and is beautifully structured, with a complex mouthfeel and delicate texture. The finish is taut and linear, demonstrating superb composition and refinement, and is impressively long. At its best: 2029 to 2042.
95 Points
Sam Kim – Wine Orbit

Rated Elite and 95 points at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2025.