Peggy's Hill Riesling 2024

Originating from the cool highlands of Eden Valley in South Australia, this Riesling comes primarily from vineyards around Keyneton and the surrounding hills. These plots benefit from high altitudes, refreshing breezes, and cool nights that preserve the grapes' natural acidity. The lean soils, composed of well-drained schist, sandstone, and sandy clay, promote moderate yields and precise aromatic expression. This terroir, renowned for its elegant white wines, imparts great purity, linear structure, and a pronounced mineral character to the wine.

The Riesling grapes destined for Peggy's Hill are harvested at optimal ripeness and then gently pressed as whole bunches. The must is then cold-settled before a slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures, in order to preserve aromatic purity and freshness. The wine is aged on its fine lees in tank for a short period, with carefully controlled racking, and then bottled relatively early to retain its vibrant profile, tension, and precise expression of the cool Eden Valley terroir.

This wine reveals notes of fresh lemon , lime , and grapefruit , complemented by floral touches of lemon blossom and jasmine . A mineral dimension, reminiscent of wet stone, and a subtle hint of dried herbs are also perceptible. The palate is taut and precise, driven by vibrant acidity , a sleek and crystalline texture, and a long, mouthwatering finish marked by a persistent citrus and saline character.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.