2023 Rieslingfreak No. 2 Polish Hill River Riesling [WA96][JS92]

Producer: Rieslingfreak 
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia 
Varietal: Riesling 
Year: 2023   

Retail Price: $35.00 
Our Price: $19.99* 

John Hughes is single-minded in his obsession with Riesling earning him the nickname "Riesling Freak".  He is one of the finest winemakers of the variety and produces a stunning range of Rieslings from across Austrialia with accolades to match.  Wine Advocate regularly gives these wines glowing reviews.  Established in 2009, Rieslingfreak sits at the apex of Riesling producers and their wines are some of the most in-demand in the country.  Their porfolio is dedicated to one solitary varietal - Riesling.  They make up to 19 styles each vintage that focus on different sites across Australia.  Rieslingfreak is a beacon for quality, innovation and excellence in Riesling.  They explore a variety of styles from bone-dry to sweet to sparkling and even fortified Riesling.  The Rieslings that John Hughes makes will live for decades in cellar.  They are delicious young, but built for the long haul.  Polish Hill River is one of Australia's most coveted regions for Riesling.  The 2023 Rieslingfreak No. 2 Polish Hill River Riesling is made in a dry style and very impressive.  It's elegant and complex with bright natural acidity.  The bouquet is highly perfumed with aromas of fresh grapefruit, jasmine, chamomile and apple blossom with a hint of peachy sweetness.  This Riesling has great power and density through the finish.  It has exceptional length and a clean, crisp finish.  The palate is crisp yet silky-soft with mouthwatering flavors of bright citrus, pink grapefruit, kumquat, pear, apricot, white peach and lemon.  Enjoy!

Wine Advocate, 96 Points 

"The fruit for this 2023 No. 2 is from Polish Hill River, a subregion in Clare Valley. On the nose, there's juniper berry and cassis, thyme and rosemary, green apple skin and brine. The fruit on the mouth is fleshy and concentrated—the shape of it is almost round—but don't mistake this for soft. The phenolics are firm on the tongue and on the back of the palate. This is a structural Riesling, and it is one with great power and density through the finish. Very impressive. I love the finish on this wine. It's feathered, talcy, textural and flavorsome. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." 

James Suckling, 92 Points 

"Attractive aromas of spiced quince, lemon oil, spa salts and nashi pear granita. The acidity is a bit tangy, yet the mid-weighted palate is fulsome enough to tone and absorb it. A bit shins and elbows now, I'd like to taste this again in five years or so. Drink or hold. Screw cap." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"Polish Hill River is renowned for producing Riesling of elegance, and the 2023 No. 2 is no exception. The bouquet is highly perfumed with aromas of fresh grapefruit, jasmine, chamomile and apple blossom, with a hint of peachy sweetness. The palate is crisp yet silky- soft, with a fine, talc-like minerality imparting a pleasing slipperiness to the texture in the mouth. The bright citrusy flavours run a fine line between sweet and tart, anchored by the acerbically mouth-watering flavours of pink grapefruit and kumquat, wrapped in the subtly- sweet flavours of Nashi Pear, apricot and white peach. The elegant and complex palate is punctuated with bright natural acidity, imparting exceptional length and a clean, crisp finish." 

Alcohol: 11.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.