Lifted aromatics of lemon and lime with complex toasty aromas showing with age. The palate displays great fruit purity and depth, and abundance of flavour and complexing elements as well. The palate is long and tight with a fresh crisp, finish.

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.

LEASINGHAM Classic Clare Cellar Release Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley

The Clare Valley and Riesling are a match made in wine heaven. Sam Barry has incredible local knowldege and a long family history in the region and is the driving force behind this Riesling.At 7% ABV, it is light on alcohol and but certianly not in flavour or character and shows all the great hallmarks of why Riesling from the Clare Valley has such an impressive reputation. It is crisp, lively and fresh.

This regional collaboration release, developed in partnership with selected local growers showcases Clare Valley Riesling at its best. We invite you, as we invited them, to 'walk this way' and sample the rewards derived from working together, across our special part of the wine world, to celebrate our regional hero!

The development of this wine was an integral part of a winemakers 9-year, but ultimately unsuccessful, battle with bowel cancer. The first wine under this label was a Riesling and to this day, part of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle to fund his sons education.