2025 Hentley Farm Mt. Crawford Riesling, Barossa Valley

From the elevated subregion of Mount Crawford on the Barossa’s cooler eastern fringe, this Riesling shows a sharply focused, mineral driven side of a region better known for reds. Hentley Farm sources fruit from high altitude vineyards where cold nights and rocky soils slow ripening and lock in acidity, producing Riesling with tension and aromatic precision. The Mount Crawford zone sits well above the valley floor, and that extra elevation brings a distinctly lime driven, steel edged style.

Winemaking is deliberately clean and minimal to preserve purity. Fermentation in stainless steel captures the grape’s natural perfume and keeps the wine crisp and linear. There is no attempt to soften or embellish the fruit, the intention is clarity, brightness and length.

In the glass it shows pale straw with green flashes. Aromas are lifted and precise, opening with lime zest, green apple and lemon blossom, followed by wet stone and a faint floral note. There is an immediate sense of cool climate freshness.

The palate is light to medium bodied and tightly coiled, with citrus fruit wrapped in piercing acidity. Flavours of lime juice, grapefruit and apple skin carry through a long, chalky finish. The texture is lean and electric, built around line and mineral drive rather than softness.

It pairs beautifully with oysters, sashimi, fresh seafood, salads and spicy Asian dishes. Drinking brilliantly now for its snap and purity, it will cellar confidently for ten to fifteen years, developing toast and honeyed complexity while retaining its spine.

This is Barossa Riesling in alpine clothing, bright, mineral and uncompromisingly fresh.