2019 St Hugo Eden Valley Riesling,The vibrant nose offers fragrant fresh lemon/lime blossom, with notes of bath salts.The refined palate is delicate and pure, showing a slaty minerality and a taut line of acidity.Notes of salted lime and citrus rind with a chalky, delicate finish.

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.

The story of Riesling in Australia is as old as the wine industry itself. The famed Florita Vineyard is synonymous with the classic grape variety and was established by Leo Buring in 1962. In 1986 the Barry family acquired the 80 acre property and began to write the next chapter in the famous vineyard's history. Opens with powerful floral aromas of rose water, citrus blossom, pear and lime. A wine with an eye to the future. Tightly wound within clean, straight acidity. Exhibits pure lime fruit with a long citrusy finish.

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.

At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, in a setting of vines and roses, the Domaine Weinbach "wine stream", named after the small stream that crosses it, was built in 1612 by the Capuchin monks. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers who passed it on to their son and nephew Théo. A great figure in the Alsatian vineyard and ardent promoter of its recognition as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Théo Faller works for the quality of Alsace wines and the development of their incomparable terroirs and grape varieties. In love with his property, he develops it, enlarges it and embellishes it. From 1979, his wife Colette and his daughters Catherine and Laurence demonstrated the same passion for the great wines of Alsace and the same unfailing attachment to quality. Since 2016, Catherine Faller has been running the Domaine with her sons Eddy and Théo. Cuvée Théo Riesling comes exclusively from the monopole Le Clos des Capucins. The clos is well protected from winds by the surrounding hills and by the walls that enclose it. The soils consist of sand, alluvial pebbles and granitic gravel. Here, the low-cropping vines typically offer up a supple and pithy Riesling that is beautifully accessible when young - a reflection of these sandy soils. As per all Weinbach dry Rieslings, this was whole-bunch pressed, fermented without any yeast additions and matured in very old oak casks for 10 months. Biodynamic. It’s beautifully ripe yet crisp, with flawless clarity and vibrating citric freshness. Expect waves of crunchy citrus pith, florals and stone-fruit juiciness, excellent pulp and precision and driven compact length. Finishing on a mineral/umami note, this is a brilliant Riesling—arguably the most electric young Théo Riesling we have seen for some time. All class. Beautifully ripe yet crisp, with flawless clarity and vibrating citric freshness. Expect waves of crunchy citrus pith, florals and stone-fruit juiciness, excellent pulp and precision and driven compact length. Finishing on a mineral/umami note, this is a brilliant Riesling.

The Rockford Eden Valley Riesling 2023 is a testament to the unique terroir of the Eden Valley, high in the Barossa Ranges. This region, punctuated by ancient Red Gums and shallow, rocky soils, produces Riesling with remarkable mineral purity. The vine roots push through cracks in the submerged rock in search of water and scarce nutrients, resulting in a wine that reflects the power and character of the land. Rockford’s commitment to quality shines through in this wine. The 2023 vintage is crafted with complexity, palate weight, and softness, which are achieved by allowing the wine to age in the cellar for one or two years before release. The resulting Riesling offers a balance of fresh fruit and honeyed richness, with a subtle chalky grip and a finish laced with lime, pear, and honey. As noted by Gary Walsh from The Wine Front, it is a flavoursome and generous wine that should be enjoyed young but can also develop further with careful aging. Rockford Wines is a beloved name in the Barossa Valley, founded by Robert O'Callaghan in the 1980s. Known for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods and small-scale, hands-on practices, Rockford has become synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. The winery was established with a vision to preserve the best of the traditional Australian wine trade while fostering strong relationships with local growers. Robert’s deep connections with the community and his emphasis on personal relationships with grape growers have helped Rockford remain a leader in the Barossa Valley. The winery's commitment to using time-honoured methods, such as basket pressing and open-topped slate fermenters, ensures that each wine reflects the unique terroir of the Barossa. Rockford's wines are crafted with passion and precision, capturing the true essence of the region in every bottle. At Rockford, winemaking is about more than just producing exceptional wine—it's about connection, community, and tradition. The winery’s philosophy revolves around embracing the region’s rich history while looking forward to a sustainable future. Rockford works closely with independent grape growers in various Barossa subregions, ensuring that each vineyard’s unique soil, climate, and altitude contribute to the distinct characteristics of their wines. This dedication to traditional winemaking methods—using tools and techniques passed down through generations—ensures that each bottle of Rockford wine is a true expression of the Barossa terroir. With a focus on small-scale production, Rockford continues to create wines that are as much about the people behind the bottle as the land from which they come. NOSE Chamomile, Honey, Lime The nose is complex and inviting, with aromas of chamomile and delicate floral notes. A hint of honey adds richness, while lime and yuzu provide a fresh, zesty edge that draws you in. PALATE Pineapple, Pear, Dried Dates The palate is full of generous, ripe fruit flavours, including fresh pineapple, pear, and dried dates. The wine has a wonderful balance of richness and freshness, with subtle notes of lavender and a hint of chalky grip that adds texture. FINISH Long, Lime, Honey The finish is long and harmonious, with the lime and honey notes lingering delicately on the palate, making for a refreshing and satisfying conclusion.

The fruit for this Riesling was grown on a vineyard in the Orange region, which is situated 1000m above sea level. In the glass: Pale lemon straw.On the nose: Pure lime lift with a touch of honeysuckle. On the palate: Intense and pure with a zesty core of lemon and lime, a quinine-like mouth-feel and long crisp acidity on to the almost chalky finish. Retrained yet powerful.