Hatch Clare Valley Watervale Riesling 2024

Clare Valley Riesling, here from the Watervale sub-region, is one of the great gems of the Aussie wine treasure chest. For me, while the Flaxman’s might have been lineball with last year’s release, this is surely a step-up. A must for the cellar. Pale gleaming lemon in colour, the nose offers us exquisite floral notes and citrus, especially grapefruit. Fragrant and elegant, we have spices, limes and hints of river stones. Such balance! A majestic Riesling. There is a riot of flavour and yet an arcade of elegance. We have a line of oyster shell acidity, while the wine really does have impeccable balance (worth mentioning twice) and superb length. A Riesling which will drink beautifully, ageing gracefully, over the next fifteen to twenty years. Love it. Given Chris Hatcher’s decades of experience in the Aussie wine industry and his contacts, I guess it is no surprise.