2022 Loosen Barry Wolta Wolta Riesling, Clare Valley

The Dr Loosen and Jim Barry Wines collaboration continues with this release. So succulent and mouth-watering with distinct, waxy texture, lively tonic water and pink grapefruit zestiness, red apple, light gingery spice elements, lemon-honey tea notes, white balsamic lift and pleasing cashew and almond savouriness underlying. Whoa, there's lots going on here, all harmonious, powerful and precise. What a wine!

96 points Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

Loosen Barry Wolta Wolta Riesling is a cross-continental collaboration that brings together two Riesling titans from opposite sides of the world—Erni Loosen of Germany’s Mosel Valley and Peter Barry of Clare Valley’s Jim Barry Wines. The result is a singular expression of Clare Riesling made in a style inspired by the great dry Rieslings of the Mosel, but with the unmistakable sun-drenched power of Australia’s Clare Valley.

The name Wolta Wolta means “good water” in the Ngadjuri language, honouring the land’s traditional custodians. The fruit is sourced from a single block on the Florita Vineyard in Watervale, one of Clare’s most iconic sites, planted in 1962 on red loam over limestone.

Unlike traditional Clare Rieslings, this is fermented in large German oak fuder brought in specially for the project. Wild yeast fermentation, extended lees contact, and a slow, cool maturation process add layers of complexity, texture and savoury grip.

The nose is intensely floral with lime blossom, citrus oil, lanolin and crushed slate. On the palate, it’s deep and structured with preserved lemon, pink grapefruit, chamomile and stony minerality. There’s power, but it’s carried with tension and elegance, more akin to Grosses Gewächs than classic Aussie Riesling.

Perfect with spiced seafood, pork belly with apple, or a creamy mushroom and tarragon tart. This is a cellar-worthy wine that will age beautifully over 15 years or more.