2024 Dukes Magpie Hill Reserve Porongurup Riesling, Great Southern

Pale straw-yellow in the glass, with a dried-floral bouquet which has elements of lemon pith and fresh green herbs (basil; parsley), while the palate is intense and reserved, balanced and dry, but also soft—and the acidity is not too in-your-face. However, as a young wine food would be highly recommended. And it will richly reward cellaring. Intense lime-juice in the long finish. 17 Oct 2024 Drink 2024–2036

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Hand picked, chilled, pressed to stainless steel tank, fermented using selected yeast, left on lees for 2 months and bottled. It's got flavour and character, albeit a little diffuse in personality from this warmer, earlier vintage. That being said, lovely iterations of lemon-lime citrus, green apple, a whisper of ginger, some jasmine florals and a touch of exotic green tea character in there, too. The wine shows some decent intensity of grapefruity acidity, a freshening rod through more pulpy yet pleasing fruit character. The finish offers up some floral, yeasty notes that linger into biscuity layers of flavour. Lots of easy pleasure here.

93 points Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

Duke’s Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling from Porongurup in Western Australia's Great Southern region is one of Australia’s most awarded and revered Rieslings—a wine that consistently delivers piercing purity, crystalline structure, and exceptional age-worthiness. Crafted by winemaker Ben Cane, this single-vineyard expression is the pinnacle of Duke’s Riesling production, sourced from the highest and most expressive block on the estate.

Planted on the slopes of the ancient Porongurup Range, the vineyard sits at elevation and enjoys cooling breezes from the Southern Ocean. The granite-rich soils, along with the long, cool growing season, contribute to the wine’s signature minerality, racy acidity, and incredible aromatic lift. The Magpie Hill block, with its lean soils and exposure, produces fruit with remarkable tension and clarity.

Ben Cane brings his global experience and intuitive winemaking style to Duke’s, crafting Rieslings that are both precise and expressive. The fruit is hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed, then fermented cool in stainless steel using neutral yeasts to preserve the natural character of the site. The wine is bottled early to retain freshness, without any oak or malolactic influence.

In the glass, it opens with intense aromas of lime zest, jasmine, green apple, and crushed granite. The palate is dry, electric, and tightly wound, with laser-like acidity driving flavours of citrus, white florals, and flinty mineral notes. The finish is long, mouthwatering, and pure—a wine that sings of place and will evolve gracefully for 15 years or more.

Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling is a true icon of Australian white wine—powerful, precise, and deeply rooted in its Porongurup terroir.