Aroma
The bouquet is sweetly scented with aromas of lemon
sherbet, guava and hibiscus, which carry through onto the lusciously flavoured
palate. This wine is low in alcohol, with a finely-tuned balance of succulent
residual sweetness and crackling acidity that balances perfectly on a knife edge
of precision.
Palate
The luscious sweetness flows across the tip of the tongue, carrying
with it an array of sweet tropical and zesty citrus flavours, before seamlessly
giving way to a line of electric acidity that drives the length of the palate to a
clean, crisp finish. The perfect play of succulent sweetness versus zingy acidity
is the ultimate hallmark of the very best examples of this unique style of
Riesling.
Vintage Notes
In the lead up to the 2026 harvest, the drought conditions that had plagued the
first half of 2025, were somewhat compensated by higher than average Spring
rains which encouraged good early canopy growth in the vineyards. Colder and
wetter conditions through November delayed flowering and fruit set, setting
the early agenda for what was to be a relatively late harvest. As summer arrived,
an extended period of dry weather with warmer than average temperatures,
meant that sun protection and judicious irrigation was paramount throughout
the ripening period, but proved perfect conditions for slow and steady ripening
– the typical harbingers of an outstanding year for Riesling.
Vintage officially commenced on the 5th of March – a full four weeks later than
in 2025. Five days later the summer drought broke in spectacular fashion, with
almost 90mm of rain falling in 48 hours. While the effects of this unprecedented
rain event were felt across both Clare and Eden Valleys, quick response by our
growers and cool heads in the winery were paramount to ensure that grape
quality was maintained; and by the time the last of the juices made their way
into ferment they were among the purest expressions of Riesling the Freaks
have ever seen.
Region Notes
Sourced from our Polish Hill River vineyard, situated 5km South-East of the
Clare township. The vineyard is owned by Rob and Lyn Jaeschke, who purchased
the vineyard from Penfolds in 2010. The vineyard is on grey-brown loam, over
sandy limestone and shale rock. Riesling Block “D6” which is specially selected
for the No.8 is a tiny planting of just 0.4 ha, situated in a small gully bordered
by a steep hill to the North, and the tree-lined bank of a creek to the South. The
vines are approximately 20 years old, planted on 44-year-old root stock and are
planted in an East-West direction.
Winemakers Comments