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For John Hughes, the attraction to Riesling is all encompassing. Growing up on a small vineyard in the Clare Valley, and going on to work with some of the brightest Riesling makers in the country before launching his own venture, John is never far away from his beloved grape. John makes classic Australian styles from carefully selected vineyards with an emphasis on purity and site reflection, as well as German-inspired expressions that balance acidity and sugar with singular precision.

Displays classic Chardonnay characters of white peach, nectarine and fresh figs. The palate is fresh and vibrant with fruit flavours of citrus and white peach. Maturation in French oak provides subtle nutmeg and clove characters on the palate, while a clean slatey acid backbone provides length and structure to the wine. The wine is complex with no single character dominating the wine. The flavour of the wine persists long after it has left the mouth.

The love affair with alternative Italian varietals continues at David Hook wines. Pecorino is a new arrival, but it was well worth the wait. So latent yet complex.Very pale with a silver fleck. Grapefruit pith, yellow apple and almond aromas. Light-bodied yet very expressive with a bright mix of white and yellow fruit, an underlying nutty layer, mouth-watering acidity and a touch of talc-like grip.

Immediately appealing aromas of tropical fruits such as guava, kaffir lime and green mango against a more restrained nashi pear note. The exotic fruit profile intermingles with Asian spices such as lemongrass and pickled Japanese ginger. The palate’s medium weight demonstrates a lightness and deft touch, with long acidity and acute fruit flavours. The mineral like acidity shines through with a saline and seashell freshness.

The colour of gold struck through with green, this Riesling shows classic lime and mineral aromas with a touch of gooseberry. Rich and full-bodied, the citrus and tropical fruit flavours are underpinned by crisp acidity.

In 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%

Penfolds began releasing the Bin 51 Riesling in the 1990s as part of the evolving white wine development program. The Eden Valley was chosen as the region for this Riesling due to the high altitude and cool climate that results in wines of intense aromatics and superb textural mouth feel. Flavours of apples, pears and bright citrus are commonplace. The Bin 51 has also shown a great propensity to age in the bottle extremely well.

Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling is created using small parcels of fruit, individually selected and put aside for future release. This release has intense lime aromas, marmalade and hint of toast with lovely minerality and a lingering finish. Louisa Rose has created a brilliant example of premium Eden Valley Riesling