2023 Rieslingfreak Riesling Zenit No. 10...$32.99
Clare Valley and Eden Valley
The No. 10 Zenit Riesling is blended by Belinda and John Hughes at the end of vintage each year, and so the cépage changes from season to season. This year, the 2023 No. 10 is an equal split of Eden Valley (two vineyards from Flaxman Valley) and Clare Valley (one vineyard from Polish Hill River). On the nose, this wine has the best of both worlds: lime blossom and flesh, talc and crushed rocks, pith and flowers. In the mouth, both personalities are evident. The Clare Valley fruit brings the mouth-filling, concentrated fruit, while the fruit from Eden Valley brings the austerity, precision and line. The Clare Valley is also responsible for the shapely phenolics through the finish. This is especially clear having tasted the No. 2 (Clare Valley) and No. 12 (Eden Valley) just prior, so I am familiar with the identities of each through the lens of this season. There's lovely clarity to this wine, and it can be seen. 12% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Rated 95/100 The Wine Advocate
An even split of Polish Hill River and Flaxman Valley fruit, with the generosity of the former melding effortlessly with the pungent mineral drive of the latter. Riffs on tarte tatin, kaffir lime, pear sorbet and lemon to orange pastille. The acidity, again, is juicy rather than hard. Perhaps not quite as sophisticated as the straight up Flaxman Valley cuvee, yet this is a beautifully poised mid-weighted wine and in its youth, more approachable. Drinkable now, but best after 2027. Screw cap.
Rated 95/100 James Suckling
2023 Rieslingfreak Polish Hill No.2 Riesling...$27.99
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.
Rated 96/100 The Wine Advocate
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