
Rieslingfreak No 8 'Schatzkammer' Riesling 2024
The Wine
A 'German Kabinett styled' wine - low in alcohol (7.5% alc) with a finely tuned balance of succulent residual sweetness and tangy natural acidity. Pure delight!
96 Pts & Special Value Star; Dave Brookes, James Halliday Wine Companion 'An unctuous Polish Hill River-born riesling from the Jaeschke family vineyard that sports 32 g/L of RS in an Aussie Kabinett style. Super pale with a green flash and pure and expressive fruit tones of lime, grapefruit, custard apple, feijoa and pomelo with underlying hints of orange blossom, frangipani, riverstone and some vaguely earthy mycelial undertones. It's an enchantingly pure wine, its finely honed tension making it appear drier than you'd expect, with a fine, minerally cadence, an ache of umami and a drawn-out lime sorbet finish. Superb drinking. Date: Jul 2024; Alcohol: 7.5%'
96 Pts, Decanter 'Abundant natural acidity in grapes from the 2024 vintage serves the Schatzkammer Riesling style perfectly. This wine follows the German Kabinett model, with grapes picked early and alcohol kept low, although the flavour intensity is ramped up high, thanks to careful development of residual sugar to balance the high acid profile. The resulting sweet aromas of tropical fruits – led by custard apple and passionfruit – sprinkled with nutmeg, carries through to a luscious palate that is balanced by firm acid and bracing minerality. An even-tempered model that celebrates rich Riesling texture.'
The Details
Variety - Riesling
Country - Australia
Region - South Australia
Sub Region - Polish Hill River
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2024
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
For John Hughes, the attraction to Riesling is all encompassing. Growing up on a small vineyard in the Clare Valley, and going on to work with some of the brightest Riesling makers in the country before launching his own venture, John is never far away from his beloved grape. John makes classic Australian styles from carefully selected vineyards with an emphasis on purity and site reflection, as well as German-inspired expressions that balance acidity and sugar with singular precision.