Product Information:
Classical Eden Valley Riesling is sought for its elegance, perfume and minerality; the 2024 No.4 is textbook, plus with RieslingFreak's textural flair.
The bouquet leaps forth with intense aromas of passionfruit, rosewater, and Tahitian lime; complemented by the evocative summertime scent of rain falling on warm slate. The palate is elegant yet assuredly structured with foundational slate-like minerality running beneath the punchy flavours of freshly squeezed lime juice and elderflower cordial. The tight core, concentration and natural acidity, are hallmarks of both the region and the 2024 season. Intense flavours runs the length of the palate drawing through to a fine, crisp finish; all the while lingering lusciously in the mouth long after the wine has gone.
Rieslingfreak No.4 is made from selected vineyards across the Eden Valley region; predominantly the High Eden subregion of Flaxman Valley, which is renowned for producing delicate, elegant styles of Riesling. Selected parcels from vineyards on the outskirts of Angaston and Springton, reputed for intense flavour and rich aromatics, add complexity to the bouquet and opulence to the palate.
Maker:
Established by John Hughes in 2009, Rieslingfreak started as a passion-project, was born from a long-running love for the Riesling variety. Today the portfolio has grown and evolved to include 19 different Riesling styles!
Since the beginning, Rieslingfreak's mission has been to produce quality Rieslings that best represent both style and region. They craft Rieslings that reveal the qualities of essential South Australian wine regions, including Clare Valley, Eden Valley and Polish Hill River. It's easy to get the hang of, each of the Rieslingfreak wines is assigned a number, and the number represents both the region where the grape is grown, and the style of the Riesling in the bottle.
The Rieslingfreak collection includes dry, sweet, sparkling, and fortified Riesling styles. True are not many grape varieties in the world that provides a winemaker the same level of versatility that Riesling does. To drive it home, Rieslingfreak’s Belinda Hughes, speaks to the versatility of Riesling, “I believe riesling to be the ultimate versatile variety... from dry to sweet, sparkling to fortified, there is almost nothing riesling can’t do – and do well!" Not only that, the variety has natural capability to hold elevated acid levels making it uniquely suited to delicate dry wines as well as perfectly balanced sweeter styles, and also imparts longevity and enables long-term cellaring.
The other thing Riesling does well is its ability to effortless accept oak. To argue oak in Riesling, Anne Hughes, John's mum and source of Clare Valley Riesling, takes the mic. While many Australian makers see oak as an affront in riesling, playing it safe to preserve fruit purity at all costs, the reality is that oak is very traditional. “While the use of oak and wild fermentation is relatively rare in Aussie riesling, the Germans have been using oak vessels with riesling for centuries,” says Hughes. Most of the vats used at Rieslingfreak are so old, the oak flavour in the wines is barely perceptible, this subtle influence imparts a distinctive elegance and an old-world charm that truly sets their wines apart from the rest.
Riesling Freak are also boundary pushing, respecting tradition, they've learned the rules to break them. While they certainly embrace the classic steely Aussie style and have paid homage to textured German styles, they go further aiming to push the boundaries of what riesling means in this country. Anne Hughes says, "riesling is remarkably well suited as a canvas for more exuberant expressions." The variety's high natural acidity is the key factor, that makes it perfect for oak fermentation and maturation - a vinification more commonly association to Burgundian Chardonnay. Anne explains it best, “natural preservation due to low pH and the delicacy of the base wine allows secondary characters to shine. Why can’t riesling be as textural and complex as a top-shelf barrel fermented chardonnay? Why can’t the winemaker embrace the bolder flair of Antoni Gaudi, rather than the restraint of Da Vinci in creating a riesling of great beauty?” You can find this style, that blurs the line between old and new world in Riesling No.1. Only made in the good years, in a way that distinguishes it from any other Rieslingfreak wine. This wine has been wild fermented in a large-format oak barrel, producing a Riesling with texture and unprecedented complexity; combining subtle, spicy oak notes with delicate tropical and heady floral aromas, strewn together by tight, linear acidity that will drive this wine many years into the future and definitely one for the Rieslingfreaks among us.
Vineyard:
The fruit for No.12 Riesling comes from was harvested from the Lienert family vineyard 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 High Eden subregion in all its splendour. First released in 2021 to celebrate John’s achievement as being heralded as Barossa’s Winemaker of the Year, this wine celebrates the beauty of High Eden Riesling via a distinctive and highly perfumed bouquet, and elegantly structured palate.
Nose - Frangipani Blooms, Feijoa, Tahitian Lime
Passion flower, Feijoa and frangipani blooms. Stoney and mineral with a cucumber melon freshness.
Palate - Lemon Sherbet, Passionfruit, Fine Chalky Texture
High toned and electric acidity, this wine has power almost beyond measure.
Finish - Sublime Balance, Crush Quartz, Lemongrass
Sublime balanced with nervy energy throughout. Hints of orange blossom, crushed quartz, lemongrass and stone.
Sourced from Rieslingfreak growers in the Eden Valley, predominately the High Eden; John recalls there were lots of smaller bunches in the ’24 season. Tight and high-toned, as all Eden Valley riesling should be, with Bickford’s lime cordial and Tahitian limes at its base. Hints of orange blossom, crushed quartz, lemongrass and stone with a light, balanced sheen of phenolics and a febrile sense of urgency as it careens across the palate, finishing fine and long. – Dave Brookes, Wine Companion & Special Value Star, 95 Points.
Pale colour. A stunning nose, lifted perfume of lime curd, green apple, pear, musky, honeysuckle and a hint of rose. Fresh and sapid, with lemon sherbet, lime, passionfruit and a fine, loose-knit chalky texture. Sublime balance, texture and an indelible line of acidity. A beautiful expression of Eden Valley grace." - Andrew Caillard & Angus Hughson (The Vintage Journal)
Passion flower, Feijoa and frangipani blooms. Stoney and mineral with a cucumber melon freshness. High toned and electric acidity, this wine has power almost beyond measure. Twinged in all the right places for long term cellaring. The palate has a lacey skin texture, coupled with blue stones and running river water. It’s graceful and yet demands your attention with a casual firm grip. A wine for white meats like poached chicken salads and slices of pork medallion. - Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot, 94 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - Australia
Region - Eden Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2024
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV -11.5%
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