A very blurry picture of the Rieslingfreak No.3

Rieslingfreak No.3 Riesling 2010 (Clare Valley, SA)
12% Screwcap, $20
Source: Sample
www.rieslingfreak.com

Righto so here is a story that sounds right up my alley. John Hughes, Australian winemaker (who was involved in the ‘R’ wines label too I believe) is a ‘Riesling freak’ – that is, he apparently likes Riesling. Or such. The good news is that John is following this passion by attempting to create his own Riesling ‘portfolio of glory’, producing wines from all of the famous Riesling regions of the world – Mosel, Wachau and, of course, the Clare Valley. Which brings us nicely back to this wine.

Sourced from the White Hut area, which apparently lies just outside of the Clare township (though it is unfamiliar to me), this looks like a very pure, rather classic Clare Riesling, built in the firm and dry, glass cutting, acid driven style. If anything it’s almost too firm, the acidity just teetering on the brink of being too mouth bleaching and green. Yet there is still enough juicy, limey fruit in there to ultimately carry it all off, making for a rather refreshing and long, piercing mouthful of Riesling goodness.

An interesting – and particularly serious – Clare Valley Rizza this, and hopefully the first of what could be a damn fine range of wines. 17.7/92