2022 Capel Vale Whispering Hills Riesling, Mt Barker Geographe

Even in a difficult season, a wet spring and hot weather up until vintage adding insult to injury with low yields, this still comes out pure and lovely. It’s lightly spiced, touched with lemon and mandarin, and best of all, textural – it’s not all racy acidity. It’s supple and delicious.

95 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Capel Vale Whispering Hills Riesling is a pristine and expressive white wine sourced from Capel Vale’s cool-climate Whispering Hills vineyard in the Mount Barker subregion of Western Australia’s Geographe wine region. This site benefits from cold nights and long, sunlit days, a perfect recipe for slow ripening and beautifully retained natural acidity — exactly what Riesling thrives on.

The wine opens with a heady bouquet of freshly squeezed lime, white blossoms, and a hint of wet slate. It’s intensely aromatic without being overwhelming. On the palate, it’s taut and dry, yet bursting with juicy citrus flavours — think Meyer lemon, lime zest, and a touch of green apple — all riding on a spine of racy acidity and crushed-stone minerality. There’s a fine line of phenolic texture that adds grip and complexity, making it more than just a thirst-quencher.

The winemaking is deliberately restrained, with a focus on preserving varietal purity. Fermentation in stainless steel and early bottling capture the vibrancy of the fruit and the pristine character of the site.

Food pairing: a dream with freshly shucked oysters, Thai prawn salad, or grilled sardines with lemon. Also lovely with Vietnamese rice paper rolls or pan-fried dumplings.

Cellar potential: while drinking beautifully now, this Riesling will age gracefully for up to 10 years, developing notes of honey, toast, and marmalade with time.