Polish Hill River Riesling 2024

Fruit for the inaugural Polish Hill River Riesling was grown by the Paulett family from their Trillians Run single vineyard. The 2024 growing season was favourable with moderate rainfall, typically warm days to aid ripening, and cool nights to retain natural acidity – ideal growing conditions for Riesling and something the Clare Valley is famous for. These growing conditions allowed the fruit to hang a little longer on the vine to develop full varietal flavours (as is the Vickery way) with very little climatic or disease pressure.

After walking the vineyard and tasting for fruit, seed and flavour ripeness, the pick was set for March 30th in idyllic harvesting conditions which the region is famous for. Immediately after harvest, the fruit was taken to the winery for pressing to avoid extended skin contact. The Vickery style calls for the initial press-cut to be very light to retain delicate flavours without bitter phenolics, with the final blend incorporating a portion of pressings material to add richness and flavour to the wine.

Reviews

Aaron Brasher, The Real Review

96 / 100

Pale straw, bright in the glass and vibrant. There’s some really pretty and lifted aromas of bath salts, lemon pith, jasmine, wet slate and citrus drops. The palate is pithy, powerful, textured and mouth-filling, with lovely purity, line and presence. Lime, lemon and tangy grapefruit flavours are all at play and the acidity plays its role superbly, delivering snap, crunch and texture

Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

95 / 100

Here's a wine that celebrates and marks the contribution of the great John Vickery to Australian wine, particularly in the realm of riesling, where he remains the acknowledged master. This is a wine of precision and fineness, with a degree of delicacy that can tend to mask the penetration and power that sits within. It was a terrific season in the Polish Hill River region, and this comes from a vineyard grown by the Paulett family. There's purity, there's a degree of tension, and there's a beautiful minerality. On the palate, a fine, precise acidity cuts through the slightly textured mouthfeel, striking a perfect balance. There's a little of that slightly wet pebble character that heightens the minerally mouthfeel. It's a wine that is drinking so well now, but in keeping with the Vickery tradition, it could handle extended cellaring.