2017 Clos Clare Museum Release Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley

Off the scale, were the first few words written in my notes for this wine. The freshness and attack of fruit is unnerving and it is so much pointier and piercing than the languid, lush 2016. With more brio and zip, added to an immensely long finish, this is a quintessential Clare Riesling performing at the very top of its game. I have followed this estate since the early Nineties and always marvelled at the wine’s minerality and poise but the Barry brothers have taken it to a new level of clarity and precision and in 2017 the husk, pith and ozone tanginess is heavenly. I had the occasion to open this wine alongside some mighty world competition, including wines which were twice the price, and it was embarrassing how elite and masterful it looked as it towered over the other bottles. 

Matthew Jukes Matthew Jukes Top 100 Wines 2018