2023 Ministry of Clouds Riesling, Clare Valley

Watervale and Penwortham. I sat down to taste these wines with co-winemaker Julian Forwood, and I said, this smells of lavender, and he was quite happy about that.

Pretty, perfumed, lavender, and pink grapefruit, lime. Juicy, firm powdery texture, pure and long, with a cinch of refreshing tonic bitterness. The mouth-feel of it is excellent, but not at the expense of purity and classic expression of Clare Riesling. Top shelf.

95 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au Sep23 Drink 2023 - 2033+

'From the third consecutive La Nina vintage we enjoyed another cool growing season, with flavour developing slowly over time, but with the chance of disease higher than previously, time walking vineyards was essential! The 2023 vintage comprises about 93% grapes from the terrarossa/ red loam laid over limestone of the renowned Watervale subregion often referred to as "The Golden Mile", with picking times staggered to retain natural acidity. The balance is sourced from the lean, hungry and rocky soils characteristic of the cooler and later ripening hills of Penwortham.

From a range of individual picks separated by more than 3 weeks, settled naturally post press, with pressings retained and transferred to oak for wild fermentation, the heart of the blend was cool fermented in stainless and aged upon fine lees from 4 months. With high natural acids present, coupled with relatively low Baumés, each parcel exhibited beautifully delicate and fine aromas, lavender and lime leaf, lemon pith, bath salts and mineral as the bedrock. Classic Clare citrus notes are complemented by the mouth-watering chalky and mineral texture on the palate, finishing with a fine and taut acid line .' Bernice and Julian