- 96
- 95
- Reduced
2023 Hatch Watervale Riesling
The 2023 vintage at Clare Valley produced Riesling fruit with great depth of flavour and wonderful natural acidity. Brilliant water like colour with a distinctive greenish tint to the edges. Intense lemon and lime scents jump out of the glass followed by some Granny Smith apple, orange rind, chalky talc and steely mineral notes. Zesty with a laser like focus the palate has a tightly coiled core of lemon, lime juice and Granny Smith apple fruits wrapped up in a steely structure. Excellent drive and concentration with subtle orange rind, chalky talc and flinty mineral elements lingering through the back half. Finishes dry, long and tense.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%
Other Reviews….
A classic Clare Valley Riesling, from the famous Watervale sub-region, made by a man with more experience than entire districts of winemakers combined. It is as good as you would imagine it should be and has been crafted with cold fermentation in refrigerated stainless steel tanks. Pale lemon hue, this is all florals and spices, limes and wet slate that are focused and pristine. Cranks up an extra level of intensity on the palate with impressive length and balance showing fine acidity which runs the length. This is elegant and finely perfumed – a superb Clare Riesling with ten to fifteen years of providing pleasure ahead of it, more in top cellars. Drink 2023-2038.
95 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com
Exceptional wine that comes from the high altitude vineyards above the Clare Valley. Intense opening of floral lime and citrus on the nose with a slightly talcy character adding complexity. The length is sublime. Intense and powerfully loaded with lively Riesling fruit, it has a lemon, lip-smacking palate which is exceptionally long and lingering with the fruit and structure to support extended ageing. Drink 2023-2040.
95 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com