2019 Wilson DJW Riesling, Clare Valley

Hand-picked, chilled and whole-bunch pressed. Has citrus blossom and crushed tangerine aromas, backed by hints of spice that also materialise on the palate. The overall clarity of the wine and its acidity are exemplary.

95 points Special Value James Halliday winecompanion.com.au

The Wilson DJW Riesling from Clare Valley is a bright, youthful and approachable take on one of Australia’s classic white wine styles. The Wilson Vineyard was established in 1973 by John and Pat Wilson at Polish Hill River, one of the Clare Valley’s coolest and most highly regarded subregions for Riesling. DJW stands for Daniel James Wilson, the son of the founders, and the wine is designed to showcase a vibrant, early-drinking style compared to the more powerful single-vineyard releases from the estate.

In the glass, the DJW Riesling is pale straw with green hues. The nose is lifted and aromatic, with classic Clare Valley notes of lime zest, lemon blossom and green apple, supported by subtle mineral hints of slate and bath salts. On the palate it is crisp and refreshing, with zesty citrus fruit, crunchy apple and a fine chalky texture. Lively acidity drives the wine through to a long, clean and mouth-watering finish. This is Riesling in its most accessible and joyful form, showcasing purity and drinkability without sacrificing structure.

Food pairings celebrate its freshness: natural oysters with lime, grilled whiting, Thai green papaya salad, or lightly spiced Asian dishes such as lemongrass chicken or Vietnamese rice paper rolls. It is also excellent with goat’s cheese or simply alongside a summer picnic. Best enjoyed young for its vibrancy, it also has the ability to cellar for 5 to 8 years, developing subtle honeyed and toasty complexity while retaining its citrus core.