Rieslingfreak
No.1
Grounds of Grandeur Riesling
Grounds of Grandeur pays respect to both the vineyard and the grower of the Riesling. Made from a single vineyard, Rieslingfreak No.1 is only made in exceptional vintages, when both climatic conditions and vineyard expressions are superior.
The grapes are hand harvested, chilled for 48 hours before whole bunch pressing. As the grapes are hand harvested, we need to press. The berries are pressed to 420L per tonne, only extracting the virgin juice. The juice is then settled in tank, before racking into a 1500L barrel. The juice then goes through a wild fermentation. The wine is then held in barrel for a minimum of 12 months, before being bottled.
The 2017 vintage is grown by Richard and Anne Hughes at White Hutt.
Rieslingfreak
No.2
Polish Hill River Riesling
Rieslingfreak No.2 is a dry Riesling, showcasing many of the refinements typical of the Polish Hill River. The limestone and shale rock soil profile are reflected in the wine with mineral and slate notes, green apple flavours, and underlying green citrus characters, predominantly lemons and grapefruit. Wines from this vineyard can be consumed upon release, or cellared for many years.
Rieslingfreak
No.3
Clare Valley Riesling
Made from the family vineyard, White Hutt, Clare Valley. The heavy red clay soils contribute to the fruit intensity of this wine. No.3 is a fruit driven style of Riesling. Classic flavours of this vineyard include ripe lemon and limes and some melon and tropical fruit notes. The Riesling drinks well young, but will also reward with cellaring.
Rieslingfreak
No.4
Eden Valley Riesling
Eden Valley Rieslings often showcase delicacy and refinement. Rieslingfreak No.4 typically demonstrates this, by the wine showing aromas of citrus and white blossom, with flavours of brown limes and lemons, with a background of sweet spice. The wine drinks well young, but will reward with cellaring.
Rieslingfreak
No.5
Clare Valley Off Dry Riesling
Rieslingfreak No.5, like No.3 is made from the family vineyard, but with the grapes harvested from a vineyard with lighter soils therefore providing a lighter style of wine.
The grapes are harvested earlier in the season, to provide a wine that is slightly less in alcohol. Being ‘off dry’ the sugar level can vary each vintage, pending on the season, normally between 11-15g/L. The sugar is balanced nicely with the acid, providing a fruit driven style with a hint of sweetness. The wine drinks well on release, or will reward with cellaring.
Rieslingfreak
No.6
Clare Valley Aged Release Riesling
Made from the family vineyard, White Hutt, Clare Valley. Harvested from the same block as the No.5, the wine is fermented dry, and made in a style that will allow the wine to cellar for many years.
The wine is bottled in the same year of vintage, and then cellared, being released at 5 years of age. This careful cellaring slowly develops the wine to show notes of butter, toast and ripe citrus flavours. The wine is intended for enjoyment upon release, but will also reward with further cellaring.
Rieslingfreak
No.7
Clare Valley Fortified Riesling
Made from the family vineyards, White Hutt, Clare Valley. Harvested at the same time as Rieslingfreak No.3. The juice is only partially fermented to 7-8 baume (approx. 140g/L sugar) and then fortified using a combination of 3 year old brandy spirit and neutral spirit. The wine is then stored in old oak casks to develop for 2 to 4 years, prior to bottling. The wine looks similar to a white port, whilst still retaining the Riesling aromatics and flavours.
Rieslingfreak
No.8
Polish Hill River Schatzkammer Riesling
Rieslingfreak No.8 is harvested from the Polish Hill River vineyard. Schatzkammer is a German word meaning ‘ Treasure Chamber’. This is where German Winemakers store their treasured wines. The No.8 is made in a German Kabinett style. Due to European labelling laws, we are not legally allowed to use the word ‘Kabinett’ on wine labels. Therefore, I have used the work Schatzkammer, a play on the word Kabinett, and it is my treasured wine!
Harvested early in the season, the wine is low in alcohol. Made in a sweet Kabinett style, the wine also retains great amounts of acid, balancing out the sweetness and fruit perfectly.
Rieslingfreak
No.9
Clare Valley Sekt Riesling
Rieslingfreak No.9 is made from the family vineyards, but with the fruit selected from the coolest site that experience slow ripening, with high natural acidity.
Rieslingfreak No.9 Sekt Riesling is made in Méthode Traditionelle style, from grapes harvested early and fermented dry. The wine is then left on lees for a short period of time to develop complex flavours. The wine then undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. The wine is stored on yeast lees, cellared for a period of time, normally around 30 to 36 months, prior to dégorgement and prepared for sale. The wine is a dry style, which shows good Riesling aromatics together with yeasty notes developed from aging on lees.
Rieslingfreak
No.10
Zenit Riesling
Rieslingfreak
No.11
"Mosaik" Riesling
Brand new to the Rieslingfreak stable, Rieslingfreak No.11 is our “Mosaik” (Mosaic) – a unique take on Riesling which like the traditional artform, brings together a collection of pieces that don’t seem to fit together, but in the hands of a master craftsman create a true work of art. Mosaic brings together the elegance of Eden Valley Riesling, the exotic funk of wild-type yeast strains, and the supple phenolics and subtle spice of old French Oak barrels to create a complex masterpiece of flavour and texture. Aromas of Thai pandan custard and aged Asiago cheese are complemented by the rich fruit flavours of ripe lychee and pineapple, zesty lime cordial and dried mint; all drawn together by a decadently creamy mid-palate and finishing with crisp, driving acidity. A quirky spin on Riesling that will certainly take you for a walk on the wild side!
Rieslingfreak
No.12
Flaxman Valley Riesling
No.12 is harvested from individually selected vines from the Mason and Zander family vineyards in Flaxman Valley in High Eden, a premium sub-region of Eden Valley. Renown for growing world-class Riesling of unrivalled elegance, this wine captures the very essence of the Flaxman Valley subregion in all its splendour. This wine is exceptionally delicate and refined, showcasing the delicate floral aromatics and mineral driven palate for which High Eden is so renown. A refined and elegant style of Riesling that will drink beautifully in its youth but will certainly reward patient cellaring.
Rieslingfreak
No.14
Watervale Riesling
Watervale is renowned for producing Riesling of richness and elegance, and the 2023 No.14 is a perfect representation of this renown Riesling style. The bouquet is highly perfumed with aromas of fresh pink lady apple, snowflower and lemon thyme, while the palate is crisp and delicately structured, with a chalky minerality running throughout. The bright sherbety acid and crisp flavours of freshly picked apples and grapefruit imbue zest and vibrancy to the palate, imparting exceptional length and a clean, crisp finish. A Riesling that may be enjoyed well in its youth, but will also reward long-term cellaring.
