2023 Rieslingfreak No. 2 Polish Hill River Riesling

Highly Rated
Stunning single-site Clare Valley Riesling from the modern Riesling master that is John Hughes.
4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
11 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$30.00
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In stock, ready to ship

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Description

96 points
"Very impressive. I love the finish on this wine. It's feathered, talcy, textural and flavorsome."
- Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)

The Polish Hill River Riesling comes from a single block in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley.

John Hughes thinks this vineyard produces the best fruit of all his vineyard sources.

There's an extra level of intensity here. That classic iron bar of acidity as a spine, the chalky crunch of a green apple, wonderful perfume and glorious purity.

This sits comfortably alongside the best wines from this famous sub-region of the Clare.

Rieslingfreak No.2 is a dry Riesling, showcasing many of the refinements typical of the Polish Hill River. The limestone and shale rock soil profile are reflected in the wine with mineral and slate notes, green apple flavours, and underlying green citrus characters, predominantly lemons and grapefruit. Wines from this vineyard can be consumed upon release, or cellared for many years.

Region: Clare Valley, SA
Blend: Riesling (100%)
ABV:
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

95 points - "From the Polish Hill River Vineyard of the Jaeschke family. The bouquet offers citrus blossom, then Granny Smith apple and some of the slate of the district. John and Belinda Hughes had a great time with this vintage." - James Halliday (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "This 2023 Polish Hill River Riesling delivers immediate complexity and generosity of fruit with mandarin skin, nectarine, pear and touches of stony spice providing an impressive start. Great volume of flavour to follow, gentle grip well placed and giving a serious feel supporting its density and shape through to a lengthy finish. Great overall tension will hold this wine in good shape for the cellar over the next decade. 2025-2035" - Andrew Caillard MW (The Vintage Journal)

93 Points - "A very delicate, restrained, crisp and more steely wine from this cooler subregion, and obviously made to cellar. More mineral and broken-rock (slaty, chalky) than citrus aromas, but does have floral and lemon-pith notes too; very fine and nervy. More obvious zesty acidity and saline quality. A flinty, wake up the tastebuds wine that will age beautifully. Riesling scale shows it's bone-dry." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

96 points - "The fruit for this 2023 No. 2 is from Polish Hill River, a subregion in Clare Valley. On the nose, there's juniper berry and cassis, thyme and rosemary, green apple skin and brine. The fruit on the mouth is fleshy and concentrated—the shape of it is almost round—but don't mistake this for soft. The phenolics are firm on the tongue and on the back of the palate. This is a structural Riesling, and it is one with great power and density through the finish. Very impressive. I love the finish on this wine. It's feathered, talcy, textural and flavorsome. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 11 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 7 Total 4 star reviews: 4 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
100%would recommend this product
11 reviews
  • TH Profile picture for Timothy H.facebook logo
    Timothy H.
    Verified Reviewer
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    11 seconds ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Special one

    Delighted by this excellent 2023 Riesling.

    Citrus, sharp flinty and dry. Lovely with quail and barramundi. Deserves every point of the high rating.

    TasteRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Interest LevelRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • SD
    Sharon D.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    3 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Celebrate the 2023 Clare Valley vintage with this beauty.

    Seriously. Get some. Get loads.

    TasteRated 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Interest LevelRated 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • ML
    Michael L.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    4 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Amazing Riesling

    The whole range is the best value money can buy. Always a great riesling.

    TasteRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Interest LevelRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • RM
    Robert M.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    9 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Outstanding Riesling

    Off the scale burst of flavour, two levels above what I expected.

    TasteRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Interest LevelRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • DW
    Derek W.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    10 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    2022 Drop

    Great Australian riesling!

    TasteRated 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Interest LevelRated 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
Reviews LoadedReviews Added

Rieslingfreak

Rieslingfreak founder & winemaker John Hughes is quite simply making the most comprehensive, high-quality and remarkably priced range of Rieslings in the country.

Growing up in the family Riesling vineyard in Clare Valley, which John still farms today, Riesling simply runs through this man's blood. John, with the help of his talented winemaking wife Belinda, make only Riesling - not a bottle of any other variety - and they've honed their craft to a level unmatched in Australia.

They are two of the nicest people you're likely to meet, so wholeheartedly committed to their vision and craft, and we are proud to have worked so closely with them for so many years. These wines rank amongst the very best value to be found anywhere in Australia, and we give them our fullest recommendation. Enjoy!

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