2016 Jim Barry Lodge Hill Riesling Cellar Release, Clare Valley

High altitude (480m) Clare Valley riesling. Intensely flavoured, in the citrus spectrum, with superb acid line. Delicate floral top notes. Strong lemony palate with minerally undertones and excellent length.

95 points Toni Paterson for The Real Review, March 2017

It has a floral prettiness and plenty of limey flavour, and a minerally, sherbet-like sizzle to the finish is the perfect icing to a delicious cake.

94 points & Special Value Campbell Mattinson for Halliday Wine Companion, June 2021

Very light yellow hue; very discreet, restrained aromas too, very high-toned straw and dried floral aromatics, with a steely, mineral edge. Lots of blossomy aromatics. The wine is deliciously flavoursome in the palate with mouth-watering acidity beautifully harmonised with the fruit and perhaps a faint trace of residual sweetness. Lovely wine.

94 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, March 2017

Aromas of flinty crushed stones and lemon sherbet here with a floral edge. The palate has a succulent, juicy and refreshing feel with nice, open-knit lemon and yellow-grapefruit flavors. Very drinkable.

93 points James Suckling, June 2020

Very pale yellow. Pungent aromas of lime zest, succulent herbs and jasmine carry a white pepper overtone. Dry and taut on the palate, offering zesty, sharply focused citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a touch of fennel. Finishes taut and nervy, featuring very good energy and lingering florality.

90 points Josh Reynolds for Vinous, August 2017

The Lodge Hill vineyard is within a 1977-purchased parcel of land east of the township of Clare with vines standing in shallow clay over broken slate and limestone at an elevation of 480 metres.

The winemaking for Riesling from this vineyard is classically restrained with cool fermentation in stainless steel and early bottling.

The 2016 is offered as a mature cellar release kept back at the winery. The above reviews are all for the original early release of this vintage.

About this producer

Jim Barry was the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, and the business he founded in 1959 has remained in family hands across three generations since. In 1964 he purchased 70 acres of prime farmland from neighbour Duncan McRae Wood to plant his first Shiraz vineyard. An inspired choice of both variety and location that set the course for everything that followed.

The current custodians of the family business are Peter & Sue Barry, while the third generation of Barry’s, Tom, Sam and Olivia, work as winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador respectively.