20245 Henschke Julius Riesling, Eden Valley

Pale straw in the glass with a flash of green and beautifully defined aromas of freshly squeezed lime juice, green apple, Bickford's lime cordial and grapefruit. You'll find hints of crushed quartz, Christmas lily, orange blossom, almond paste, ozone, lemongrass and makrut lime. Sleek, focused and wonderfully pure. There is an ache of precision and minerality that marks its passage over the palate, all tension and velocity and cadence. Jeez, it is a lovely wine, finishing dry and slatey with just a glimpse of umami as it trails off.

97 points Special Value Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Henschke Julius Riesling is one of Eden Valley’s great classic whites, a wine that captures the cool, elevated character of this remarkable part of the Barossa ranges. The vineyards sit on rocky, sandy loam soils high above the valley floor, where cold nights and long growing seasons preserve piercing acidity and build intense flavour. It is this combination that has made Eden Valley one of Australia’s most celebrated homes for Riesling.

Henschke is one of Australia’s most important family wineries, with a history dating back to the 1860s. Today the estate is led by Stephen and Prue Henschke, whose focus on organic and biodynamic farming and deep respect for site has elevated the region’s reputation worldwide. Julius is named after Stephen’s great uncle and is sourced from some of the estate’s best Eden Valley Riesling blocks.

In the glass, the wine shows lime zest, lemon blossom and green apple, with a distinct chalky, talc like minerality. The palate is tight, vibrant and mouthwatering, driven by crisp acidity and pure citrus fruit, finishing long, dry and saline. It is a wine of clarity and precision rather than weight.

This is a superb food wine. Fresh oysters, grilled fish, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, schnitzel or goat’s cheese all work beautifully with its brightness and mineral drive.

Henschke Julius Riesling drinks beautifully young for its freshness and energy, but it is also built to age. Over ten to twenty years it will develop classic toast, honey and kerosene notes while retaining its vibrant core. It is a benchmark Australian Riesling and a true expression of Eden Valley terroir.