2026 Rieslingfreak No 8 Schatzkammer Riesling, Polish Hill River

Firstly, if you were drinking this style in Germany, at this level of quality, you'd likely be in the vicinity of five times this price. That aside, this is a decidedly and dedicated medium-sweet style of riesling, delivering the glossy sheen of honey on green apple skin. It has a perfume and palate of jasmine tea, lavender, candied citrus peel and cumquat. Highly perfumed, wonderfully evocative of its intended style, with precision in texture, weight and harmony of fruit, electric acidity and residual sugar. Bring on that chalky pucker to finish. Superb. Drink to 2035.

97 points Special Value Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

The German word Schatzkammer translates as "treasure chamber", an apt name for one of Rieslingfreak's most distinctive and sought after wines. Winemaker John Hughes created the No. 8 to celebrate a style inspired by Germany's great off dry Rieslings, while showcasing the remarkable fruit of Clare Valley's Polish Hill River. Produced only from a tiny, specially selected vineyard block, it is a wine where precision, purity and elegance take centre stage.

The fruit comes exclusively from Block D6, a tiny 0.4 hectare parcel within Rob and Lyn Jaeschke's Polish Hill River vineyard, just south east of Clare. Planted on grey brown loam over sandy limestone and shale, the 20 year old vines sit in a sheltered gully bordered by a steep hillside and creek line, creating a unique microclimate that consistently delivers fruit of exceptional intensity and balance. The outstanding 2026 vintage produced Riesling of remarkable elegance, vibrant flavour and electric natural acidity, making it an ideal year for this iconic release.

Pale straw with brilliant green flashes, the bouquet is immediately captivating with fragrant aromas of lemon sherbet, guava and hibiscus. The palate is beautifully poised, with succulent residual sweetness carrying luscious tropical and zesty citrus flavours before giving way to a thrilling line of crackling acidity. Remarkably light in alcohol yet packed with flavour, it dances effortlessly between sweetness and freshness, finishing long, pristine and mouthwateringly crisp.

Enjoy lightly chilled with spicy Thai salads, fresh prawns, pork dumplings, Vietnamese rice paper rolls or soft washed rind cheeses. Delightful in its youth for its vibrant fruit and energy, this beautifully balanced Riesling also has the structure to evolve gracefully for many years.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2043.