Riesling Rocks

The Springvale vineyard sits just under 500 metres above sea level, on red loam-over-limestones soils, with plenty of slate sitting underneath. This combination of altitude and complex geology make for a wine that wows with its crisp, fresh acidity and pure, zingy lime flavours. So little Springvale was made in 2020 that it was originally destined to only be sold in restaurants: we’ve managed to pry some away for you to enjoy at home.

While Riesling in Australia is most associated with the Clare and Eden valleys in South Australia, Mac Forbes is making some brilliant examples from the Strathboogie ranges to the east, in Victoria. Mac is one of our favourite wine makers, crafting wines that impress with their clarity and terroir definition, and his Rieslings are the hidden gems of his range. The number on the label is the Residual Sugar here - no one that we know of releases as much information about their wines as Mac - and this, the 2019 RS3 is bone dry, with incredibly vibrant acidity, wonderful minerality, and a long and pure finish. It demonstrates what a brilliant winemaker Mac is.

Mount Horrocks is run and owned by Stephanie Toole, wife of Jeffrey Grosset, and since taking over this Clare Valley estate in 1993 she’s taken it to a position as one of Australia’s finest. The Watervale vineyards face north, with red loam soils over limestone, while 2020 was a tiny yielding vintage, but one of impressive quality. This dry Riesling is tightly wound, with amazing concentration of lime fruit and wonderfully vibrant acidity. A brilliant, benchmark Aussie Riesling.