Riesling 2024 – Black Friday Deal #71892

This wine is sourced entirely from Watervale, a sub-region within the Clare Valley in South Australia. Watervale is widely recognised as one of Australia's finest addresses for Riesling, thanks to its elevated altitude, cool nights, and ancient limestone and granite soils. That granitic minerality you detect in the glass is a direct expression of the land itself, giving the wine a distinctive stony backbone that sets Clare Valley Riesling apart from other Australian styles.

This wine has an ageing potential beyond 10 years, which is a hallmark of quality Clare Valley Riesling. Unlike many white wines that are best consumed young, Riesling is one of the few white varieties that genuinely rewards patience in the cellar. Over time, the bright citrus characters evolve into complex toasty, petrol-like notes - a signature of aged Riesling that wine lovers actively seek out. If you can resist opening it early, you will be rewarded.

Expect a citrus-driven palate with layers of green apple, honey, white blossoms, and jasmine, underpinned by a granitic minerality. What makes this wine particularly interesting is its slightly waxy, weighted texture, which gives it more presence on the palate than a typical lean, linear Clare Valley Riesling. The finish is described as long and boisterous, meaning the flavours linger well after each sip - a strong indicator of quality and concentration.

This Riesling has earned 95 points from Q Wine Reviews, a Special Value Award from the Halliday Wine Companion, and comes from a Five Star Halliday Rated Winery. The Special Value Award is particularly noteworthy for shoppers, as it recognises wines that over-deliver on quality relative to their price point. Scoring 95 points while also being flagged for value is a rare combination that signals this is a genuinely exceptional buy.

Yes, this Riesling is 100% hand picked, which matters more than it might initially seem. Hand harvesting allows pickers to select only the best fruit and avoid damaged or unripe bunches, resulting in cleaner, more expressive juice. For a delicate variety like Riesling, where freshness and precision are everything, hand picking helps preserve the aromatic integrity that makes this style so compelling. It also reflects a commitment to quality that is typical of single vineyard, small-batch production.