2023 Mitchell Watervale Riesling

One of Clare Valley’s stalwarts, the first Mitchell Watervale Riesling was released in 1977. Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Jumping out of the glass are intense lime and red apple scents which are followed by some citrus, subtle wet slate and mineral notes. Flooding the mouth are concentrated lime and citrus fruits with notions of green apple, wet steel, chalky talc and a saline like minerality lending further nuance across the back half. Power and textural volume are counterpointed by zippy acidity. Finishes dry, long and zesty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews….
Flavour. Texture. Precision. Poise. A scintillating riesling of strong regional character, yet details of citrusy fruit, saline minerality, faint nutty savouriness and talc-like textural pucker. Fantastic. It's a highly perfumed expression with extreme length, vitality and freshness with drinkability now and a sense that time in the cellar will bode very, very well. Straight up delicious, with plenty going on. Mitchell delivers the goods with this variety, and the 2023 release is a belter. Kudos. Drink by 2035.
95 Points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

The wine is jubilant with native florals and citrus zest. Lime sorbet, fig leaf and Lemon Myrtle. There is a woody smell of sandalwood and a base note of vanilla sugar. The freshness of cut celery and green apple peel leads to a pithy lace like texture with a crunchy crisp finish. Acidity flows along the palate and lime oil lingers on the finish. There is always an added layer of phenolic tension in this wine and once again it delivers the aromatics of the Clare Valley with the added details of great wine making. Drink now or will cellar well for 8-10 years. Serve with butterflied spatchcock and preserved lemon. Drink 2023-2033.
95 Points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com

I’ve not tried these wines for some years, so nice to try them again.
Maybe not your average Clare Valley Riesling here, maybe a little more Germanic, if you don’t mind me. Here we have apple, lime and lemongrass, with a jasmine flower thing. It’s juicy, all ginger, lime and lemongrass, quite spicy, fleshy too with rich mint and apple flavour in the mix. Texture is gently chalky and something of a highlight, cashew, aniseed and exotic spice. Finish is excellent, maybe a little sweetness too by way of lime cordial. Zesty. Lovely wine. Drink 2023-2032+
95 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front