2025 Rieslingfreak No 4 Riesling, Eden Valley

Rieslingfreak No 4 Riesling from Eden Valley is a masterclass in precision and purity, crafted by John Hughes, one of Australia's most respected Riesling specialists. Known for his obsessive focus on site and style, Hughes has made it his mission to elevate the reputation of Australian Riesling by showcasing how dramatically different terroirs can shape this noble grape. Each Rieslingfreak wine is numbered to reflect its style and regional origin, and No 4 is always Eden Valley, always dry, always mineral.

The fruit is sourced from the Zander family vineyard near Flaxman Valley, one of the highest and coolest parts of the Eden Valley. Sitting at around 500 metres elevation, this vineyard is planted on lean, rocky soils of sandy loam over granite, which contribute to the wine’s mineral tension and linear drive. The vineyard is dry grown and carefully managed to limit yields and intensify flavour, and the grapes are hand harvested in the early hours of the morning to preserve natural acidity and aromatic brightness.

John Hughes ferments No 4 in stainless steel using selected neutral yeasts at very low temperatures. The wine is fermented to complete dryness, and no oak is used. The result is a wine that is all about clarity and focus, with zero fluff and no artifice. This is Riesling stripped to its bare bones and shown in its most crystalline form.

On the nose, it opens with pure aromas of lime leaf, green apple skin, white blossoms, jasmine and a faint flicker of crushed slate. There’s a subtle saline edge and a hint of pink grapefruit and lemon curd as it begins to unfold in the glass. The palate is tightly wound, electric with acidity, and carries flavours of lime juice, yuzu, and lemon myrtle with a stony, almost quartz-like mineral thread running through the core. Bone dry and ultra-refreshing, it finishes with a snap of citrus and a flinty kick that lingers long after the final sip.

This is the wine for true Riesling devotees. Its precision and laser focus make it a brilliant partner to oysters with finger lime, snapper crudo, Vietnamese green papaya salad, or simply a good goat’s cheese with fresh herbs and lemon zest. As with all great Rieslings, it has enormous cellaring potential. Over 10 to 15 years it will evolve into something honeyed, waxy, and profoundly complex, gaining depth without losing its spine.

John Hughes himself considers No 4 the most “serious” wine in the Rieslingfreak portfolio. It’s the one that regularly picks up critical praise and top accolades, including gold medals at the Eden Valley Wine Show and strong scores from Australia’s leading wine writers.