From: Clare Valley, South Australia
Varietal: Riesling
Taste & Critical Acclaim: The nose explodes with finger lime juice, pink grapefruit, wet slate, and orange blossom aromas. Sweet grapefruit flesh drives the palate, followed by mandarin, freshly cut lime, and quince. There is a slate and mineral backbone and a citrus finish.
“The vineyard has 480m elevation, which is the key to the fine-boned structure of this classic. A mix of crisp acid and lime juice progressively gains intensity on the back palate, finish and aftertaste.” 95 pts James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
“Super-bright and youthful with tons of lime and garden-herb freshness, this is a sleek but very polished Clare Valley dry riesling that needs a bit of time to open up. Steely long finish with pronounced minerality.” 94 pts James Suckling
“The 2022 Lodge Hill Riesling is lean and tight and more austere than the fleshy/talc-y Watervale tasted beside it. The structure here says it will age exceptionally well—long into the future.” 93 pts Wine Advocate
Pairing: Light and fresh seafood dishes, such as ceviche, grilled prawns, or sashimi, will pair beautifully with the wine's citrus and mineral notes. Lime and garden-herb freshness notes pair well with dishes with a touch of herbaceousness, like a Vietnamese herb salad or a Thai green papaya salad, would also be excellent choices.
For those who appreciate a bit of spice, this Clare Valley Riesling's sleek and polished nature can stand up to moderately spiced dishes such as a coconut and lime-based Thai curry or a zesty ceviche. Considering the wine's lean and tight structure and potential for aging, richer dishes like roast chicken with a citrus glaze or grilled fish with a herb butter sauce can also be great pairings.
Seared Herb-Marinated Chicken
Recipe from Chris Shepherd
Adapted by Melissa Clark
About: Jim Barry's relentless drive and community spirit significantly contributed to establishing South Australia's Clare Valley as a benchmark producer of world-class Riesling, securing its status as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. The strong lineage of Jim Barry Wines traces back to Jim himself, who became the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley after graduating with the 17th Degree in Oenology from the renowned Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947.
Jim and Nancy married in 1950 and purchased their first property, Burton Cottage, along with vineyards in 1959. In 1964, they acquired 70 acres in the Armagh area, forming the basis of their red wine production. After 22 years at Clarevale, Jim took on the challenge of helping establish Taylor’s new winery in 1969.
In 1974, Jim Barry Wines produced its first wines at a newly built winery behind Burton Cottage, offering stunning views over the northern Clare Valley. The acquisition of the 329-acre Lodge Hill property in 1977 marked another significant milestone. The Barry family continued to expand their vineyard holdings, including Clare River in 1989, Jacka’s in 1995, and John Knox Oval in Coonawarra in 1998.
