2025 Mr. Riggs Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley

Very light yellow hue; subtle, reserved yeasty and fresh-rolled pastry aromas. The wine is delicate and crisp and finishes properly dry, with refreshing, balanced acidity. Modest riesling character—it's a trifle hidden right now. Give it time. 02 Nov 2025 Drink 2027–2035

90 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Mr. Riggs Watervale Riesling from the Clare Valley is a brisk, pure and beautifully sculpted expression of this famed subregion, celebrating the lime-rich soils and cool night temperatures that define Watervale’s style. The fruit is sourced from select vineyards planted on ancient slate and limestone, where Riesling develops piercing aromatics, crystalline acidity and remarkable clarity of flavour. Ben Riggs has always had a knack for bottling place and personality, and this cuvée shows his deft touch with the Clare’s most iconic white variety.

The nose is vibrant and shimmering with lemon zest, lime blossom and green apple sorbet, followed by hints of jasmine, granite dust and crushed coriander seed. With time in the glass, more tropical accents appear, like finger lime and kaffir lime leaf, underpinned by a clean, stony minerality that speaks clearly of Watervale’s chalky soils.

The flavour profile is brisk, tense and precisely drawn. Citrus and orchard fruit fill the mid palate before tightening into a long, refreshing, mineral edged finish. Lime cordial, grapefruit pith, Granny Smith apple and white nectarine are layered over scintillating acidity that carries the flavours with drive and persistence. There is energy and purity throughout, and the wine has the structure to age confidently for eight to twelve years, developing honey, beeswax and toast along the way.

Food pairing is effortless. It suits oysters, fresh prawns, sashimi, Thai salads, Vietnamese dishes, goat cheese, grilled calamari, salt and pepper squid, tempura vegetables and light, zesty seafood pastas. It also shines with hot days, cold glasses and no food at all.