2024 Freycinet Vineyard Riesling

Tasmania is an extraordinary place for Riesling with its potential to produce some of the nation’s finest. Freycinet Rieslings have a fine pedigree stretching back 25 years to 1998 when the first 100% varietal riesling was produced, gaining high praise and considerable recognition along the way.

We are particularly passionate and excited about riesling at Freycinet. Our philosophy is to showcase the purity of riesling aroma and flavour in the wine. This begins with growing moderate yields of fully ripe healthy fruit in the vineyard. Vines are all hand pruned and hand harvested. In the winery a very careful, protective approach is utilised to ensure the delicate yet intense aromas and flavours are retained. Key to this is a slow fermentation at cool temperatures. 

The 2024 season on the east coast of Tasmania saw the return of warmer, drier conditions after three cooler, wetter, La Nina influenced seasons. The winter proceeding the growing season set the scene with mild above average temperatures throughout and close to normal rainfall. Spring and summer continued this warmer than average temperature pattern and low rainfall. Budburst was early as a result and settled flowering conditions provided a return to long-term average yields with perfect, well-formed bunches. Given the extra warmth throughout the season all varieties ripened beautifully and up to three weeks earlier than normal. Fruit quality was exceptional with concentrated flavours and ripe, juicy acidity.

Half the pleasure of riesling for us is the delicate floral perfume reminiscent of gardenias and orange blossom and which the 2024 Freycinet Riesling reveals in spades.

The vibrant yet elegant palate offers a hedonistic melange of juicy limes, green apples, grapefruit and white nectarine complemented with gentle spice and a refreshingly crisp mineral finish. The ripe, juicy natural acid reflects the ideal east coast vintage conditions and is balanced with 1.95 g/L of residual sugar, delivering scintillating tension.

This wine has all the hallmarks of a classic Riesling vintage, built for the long haul in the cellar. The elegance and refreshment qualities of the wine make it a perfect accompaniment to all lighter flavoured fine foods particularly seafood, or it can be simply enjoyed on its own.

Carefully cellared this wine will provide drinking pleasure over a 25 year period, developing attractively complex aged characters reminiscent of honey and toast.

DRINK: Now to 2040