Mike Bennie

Halliday Wine Companion 97 Points

There were tough growing conditions for this release; frost and drought cut a swathe through volumes. That being said, the firmer, leaner texture here is an absolute treat, if not a high water mark for the wine. Distinct, tangy lime juice, margarita peppery and salty elements, juniper berries and talc-like minerality. The palate is chalky, assertive with its minerally acidity and persists to infinity. The compact nature of the wine marries juiciness and a precise, crystalline feel. Wildly refreshing, too. Top-flight stuff.

Qwine Review

www.qwinereviews.com 96 Points

First class Watervale from Neil Pike. This Learnings 2025 is effortless, detailed and so pretty. Riesling lovers rejoice!
2025 was not the easiest year in the Clare, but the cream rises to the top, particularly in tough times. The perfume, mouth feel, shape, tension and sheer sophistication all dazzle here.

Pretty aromas of bath salts, bath powder, little white flowers and green apple peel seduce but it’s the core of limes and green apple fruit that sets this alight. The acid draws a tension and focus that I’m here for, but the fruit maintains a delicacy. And that right there is the class of the maker. Often the acidity has the ability to steal the show, but not here – it’s just part of the package. Crushed quartz minerality adds further detail with a pretty mouth perfume that has me leaning in. The talc finish caps things off perfectly. Take a bow Mr Pike.

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front 95 Points

Lime and green apple, a salty or bath salty perfume, aromatic green herbs. It’s a crunchy zinger of a wine, intense and chalky, tight fine acidity, bitter lemon and kind of salt-crusted, with a firm powdery finish of excellent length. This fairly sizzles. The vintage has delivered something perhaps a little unusual, but gee it’s a wonderful wine.

Ken Gargett

Wine Pilot 97 Points

From the Watervale sub-region, while frost might have decimated the Solace from this vintage, The Learnings escaped largely unscathed – well, perhaps less scathed. 1,650 bottles made. The colour is extremely pale with just a lemon hint. On the nose we have florals, herbs, citrus, freshly sliced limes and a note rather reminiscent of a good gin and tonic. There is a chalkiness here and the palate is seamless and intense with incredible length. Poised and taut, the wine is balanced and yet ethereal. Will surely provide immense pleasure over the next fifteen years.