Reserve Riesling 2021
Price:
$45.00
⭐ Halliday 93 Points
Crafted from 100% free-run juice sourced from specially selected fruit, this Reserve Riesling has matured beautifully while preserving its hallmark precision and structure. The once austere citrus profile has evolved into layers of preserved lemon, lime marmalade and delicate floral notes, complemented by hints of beeswax and subtle tropical nuances. The palate remains tightly focused, with vibrant acidity balanced by a creamy texture and fine phenolic grip. Flavours of salted citrus, green apple skin and crushed oyster shell are carried across a distinctive mineral backbone, finishing long, saline and impeccably dry. A wine of purity, power and finesse that rewards patient cellaring and is now entering a superb drinking window.
Dry Grown Reserve Riesling 2021
Finalist – Best Aged Riesling Trophy, WA Wine Show
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Alcohol: 12.5% Alc/Vol
pH: 3.05
Total Acidity: 8.47 g/L
Gold Medal
REVIEW
“This is an austere and staunch Riesling, a clear expression of Mount Barker’s muscle and heft. Tight, long and pure, this wine will age gracefully, becoming even more pleasurable as bottle-aged characters emerge. Notes of salted preserved lemon, lime zest and whispers of mango are carried by plenty of briny acidity.”
Erin Larkin – 93 Points
TASTING NOTES
The Reserve is crafted from 100% free-run juice sourced from specially selected fruit, representing the purest expression of quality and site. Intense aromas of lemon and lime lead into a concentrated palate layered with vibrant citrus flavours, framed by zesty natural acidity and a long, crisp finish. Its purity and precision make it an ideal match for smoked salmon, freshly caught whiting and other delicate seafood dishes.
VINEYARD
Fruit is sourced from our 49-year-old, 12-hectare dry-grown vineyard. Our mature vines are not irrigated, a rarity in modern viticulture, producing naturally low yields and small berries with exceptional concentration of flavour. Grown on ancient gravelly loam soils in Mount Barker, within Western Australia's renowned Great Southern region, the cool climate ensures slow ripening and outstanding varietal expression. The vines are cane-pruned and yield approximately two tonnes per hectare, with small bunches contributing to the wine’s intensity and character. Harvest typically takes place from mid-March through late April, depending on seasonal conditions.
VINTAGE COMMENTS
After two consecutive years of low yields and dry conditions, the 2021 season returned to the fast-paced challenge that vintage often brings. Frequent rainfall throughout November to February, including 51 mm in February alone, combined with warm temperatures and persistent easterly winds, created demanding conditions in the vineyard. The result was a vintage producing wines of exceptional concentration and power, with bold flavours and remarkable intensity reminiscent of the celebrated 2013 season.
WINEMAKING
Mount Barker’s cool, dry climate is ideally suited to producing world-class Riesling. Through meticulous vineyard management and sympathetic winemaking, we aim to express both varietal purity and a true sense of place. The wine displays hallmark notes of chalky minerality, lime and subtle passionfruit, with a lively structure, vibrant acidity and excellent cellaring potential. Balanced, precise and eminently drinkable, it is a classic expression of Great Southern Riesling.