An elegant and restrained cool-climate style Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay has been at the forefront of the modern Australian Chardonnay renaissance. Displaying notes of nectarine and citrus underpinned by crisp acidity, it evolves over time to reveal layers of toasty, mealy complexity.

This wine was always designed to bring new world and old world together. After going to Bordeaux to meet the team at Boutes Barrels, John worked with the Coopers, to design a barrel that would work for Australian Riesling. They designed a 1500L barrel, which has had minimal toasting, resulting in a long barrel, which would act more has a maturation vessel, compared to a barrel which would impart oak into the wine. 2017 Rieslingfreak No.1 is made in a style which is different from any other Rieslingfreak. The wine has been wild fermented in a barrel, where as John normally ferments in stainless steel and with cultured yeast. Rieslingfreak is the inspiration of John Hughes, a man who is very passionate about his rieslings. The first vintage of the brand was in 2009, with a single vineyard Clare Valley Riesling. Since then, the label has expanded to include Eden Valley and Polish Hill River regions. The brand philosophy is to represent the hallmarks of a single region with their iconic winemaking style. Each Rieslingfreak wine is allocated an individual number. This number represents not only the region in which the fruit was grown, but also the style and technical specifications with which the wine is made. Rieslingfreak is about providing consumers with a range of specially crafted rieslings embracing both different regions and styles. It is only released from vintages considered worthy.

Ripe plums, spice, compote, and fresh ripe blackberries on the nose. A lively, strikingly astute entry on the palate, with flavours of fresh, ripe berries enhanced by hints of spice and clove. The flow is calm and even with effortless tannins.

The Shaw and Smith Lenswood Chardonnay 2021 is a fine-boned Chardonnay that reflects the conditions of the vintage and the character of this unique vineyard site. A luxurious match with kingfish ceviche.

The Margaret Pooley Tribute Riesling is a reserve wine made only in exceptional years from the original Pooley Riesling plantings established in 1985. This is Anna Pooley's most explosive and concentrated Riesling release. Built with cellaring in mind, it's an intensely flavoured, tightly structured wine that is going to reward patience in the cellar. One of the benchmark Rieslings in Tasmania, whenever Anna deems this high enough quality to be a stand alone release, enthusiasts should jump on it. This Riesling is a cut above.

Burn Cottage is best known for its Pinot Noir, but this Riesling Grüner Veltliner blend is one of Central Otago’s quiet success stories. The fruit is sourced from the Sauvage Vineyard in Bannockburn, which was planted in 2005. The site’s schist soils and cool climate allow both varieties to retain definition and drive while achieving full phenolic ripeness. Winemaking is a low-intervention process: the grapes are pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast in stainless steel and seasoned oak. The result is a layered, textural wine that balances Riesling’s precision with Grüner’s flesh and spice. Expect notes of citrus peel, white flowers, and stone fruit on the nose, with a palate that carries through those characters, complemented by mineral depth and a clean, dry finish. This is a wine that evolves well over several years and pairs equally well with food or as an aperitif. A small-production release that quietly broadens the picture of what Central Otago can do beyond Pinot Noir.