2018 Jim Barry The Florita Riesling Cellar Release, Clare Valley

Soft and supple, medium-weight white wine of modest development, good retention of freshness and a pitch-perfect mesh of citrus fruit, gin and tonic characters, green olive, red apple with calling cards of maturity in truffle, creme brûlée, honey and a touch of sizzled butter. A very pleasing balance of all elements, an intensity and inherent complexity on show. It delivers a very serious white wine expression, compelling for its intensity and yet freshness.

96 points Special Value Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

Jim Barry The Florita Riesling Cellar Release from the Clare Valley is a rare and beautifully aged expression of one of Australia’s most iconic single vineyards. Grown on the famed Florita site in Watervale, this wine is only released after extended cellaring at the winery, offering a glimpse into how great Australian Riesling develops with time.

The Florita vineyard, with its red loam over limestone soils and cool nights, consistently produces Riesling of exceptional purity, drive and ageing potential. The wine is made from handpicked fruit, gently pressed and fermented cool in stainless steel to retain aromatics and tension. It’s then held back in ideal conditions to evolve gracefully before release.

With bottle age, The Florita develops classic notes of lime cordial, lemon zest and white florals that are now joined by layers of beeswax, toast, lanolin and crushed stones. The palate remains beautifully poised, with vibrant acidity cutting through the aged complexity, leading to a long, dry, citrus-laced finish.

This cellar release is ideal with duck liver pâté, pork schnitzel with lemon, or aged cheeses. A benchmark aged Riesling that showcases the best of Clare Valley terroir and patience.