2024 Hentley Farm Riesling, Eden Valley

Pale in the glass with a green flash and aromas of freshly squeezed lime juice, green apple and grapefruit. Hints of orange blossom, crushed stone, almond paste, mineral salts and ozone. Just a touch of slinky texture on the palate with a beautiful blend of concentration and focused drive, with pithy-edged interest and a grapefruit twang to the acidity as it slides away.

94 points Special Value Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Hentley Farm Riesling from Eden Valley is a fresh and vibrant white wine that showcases the exceptional quality of this renowned South Australian region. Known for its high elevation and cool climate, Eden Valley produces some of Australia’s finest Rieslings, and Hentley Farm’s expression captures the purity, elegance, and lively character for which the varietal is celebrated.

The Riesling grapes are sourced from carefully selected vineyards within Eden Valley, where the combination of cool nights, warm days, and ancient rocky soils allows the fruit to ripen slowly and retain its hallmark acidity. This results in a wine with beautifully defined aromatics, crisp structure, and a clean, mineral-driven finish.

Hentley Farm’s winemaking approach emphasizes minimal intervention to preserve the natural expression of the fruit. Grapes are hand-picked in the cool of the morning and gently pressed, with fermentation conducted in stainless steel tanks to maintain freshness and clarity. The wine is then left on fine lees for a short period to enhance texture and complexity.

In the glass, Hentley Farm Riesling shines with a pale straw hue and green highlights. The nose is highly aromatic, offering notes of lime zest, green apple, and white blossoms, with subtle hints of slate and wet stone. On the palate, it is light-bodied and zesty, with crisp acidity supporting flavors of citrus, granny smith apples, and a whisper of jasmine. The finish is long and refreshing, with a distinctive mineral edge that reflects Eden Valley’s terroir.

This Riesling is an excellent companion for a variety of dishes, pairing beautifully with fresh seafood such as oysters, prawns, or seared scallops. It also complements light salads, Asian-inspired cuisine, or goat cheese. While delightful in its youth for its vibrant citrus character, Hentley Farm Riesling has the structure to age gracefully for 5-10 years, developing complex honeyed and toasty notes over time.