2024 Jim Barry The Florita Riesling, Clare Valley

Finely constructed with such purity and complexity, showing aromas of kaffir limes, struck match, white flowers, lemon peel and slate. The palate has very high energy and tension with a driving acidity and powerful undertone that will unravel for years to come. Made from vines planted on limestone in 1962, bringing a chalky aspect to the wine. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

96 points jamessuckling.com

A stupendous riesling of immense regional character and yet flair, personality and precision as calling cards. Pretty lavender and chamomile floral lift, sleek and racy lime juice characters spiked with lemongrass, gingery spice, pepper and some wet slate minerality with accompanying textural grip. Finesse personified with energy to burn. Vivid, scintillating riesling.

96 points Special Value Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

Pale, water-white colour, very restrained nose, some lime pith aromas, the palate piercingly fresh and crisp with driving acidity and a long, energetic finish. Lip-smacking lemony flavours. This is backward, high-tensile and promises to take some age well. Superb riesling. 26 Dec 2024 Drink 2025–2039

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

The 2024 The Florita Riesling is tense and tightly coiled, with lemon zest, beeswax, green apple, cheesecloth, white pepper and shaved fennel. I find this to be quite a compact and savory iteration of the Florita, far less floral and talc-like than other years. I am looking to the acid drive and the phenolic presence for direction here, and both suggest that patience may be rewarded. 12.4% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

95 points Erin Larkin robertparker.com

Jim Barry The Florita Riesling from Clare Valley is one of Australia's most revered single-vineyard Rieslings, crafted from a legendary site with a long and storied history. The Florita vineyard in Watervale was once the source of Leo Buring’s finest Rieslings and has found new life under the careful stewardship of the Barry family since they purchased it in 1986. It now forms the beating heart of Jim Barry’s flagship Riesling program.

The vineyard sits on classic Watervale terra rossa over limestone, producing fruit with incredible concentration, piercing acidity and precise citrus character. Only the best parcels are selected for The Florita, with harvesting done in the cool of morning to retain natural acidity and aromatics. Winemaking is kept minimal. The juice is cold settled and fermented in stainless steel to preserve purity, freshness and fine detail.

In the glass, it offers lifted aromas of lime blossom, lemon zest, jasmine and crushed stones. The palate is laser focused, with a core of vibrant citrus, mouthwatering acidity and chalky texture that gives length and finesse. It’s dry, racy and built to age, with a reputation for developing gracefully over 10 to 15 years or more.

Enjoy it now with oysters, sashimi, Thai fish cakes or herbed goat cheese. Or cellar it for a decade to watch it evolve into a toasty, honeyed classic.