Forest Hill Vineyard Block 1 Riesling 2024

The Block 1 Riesling is a single-site wine from some of the oldest vines in Western Australia outside of the Swan Valley. Planted in 1965, these are living history, and play a key role in the state’s and thus the country’s wine history and formation to where it is today. A whirlwind of minerality on the nose. Salt dust, rock salt, crushed quartz and silica frame a core of lemon pith and citrus blooms. Licks of nutmeg spice and dried ginger and beeswax. An eye-opening whoosh on the palate. Such immense fruit concentration, detailed and ripe phenolics, acidity skimming the surface, but in no way stealing the show. A magnificent wine, courtesy of gnarly old vines, careful tending by the viticultural team and the approach to winemaking by Guy Lyons and Liam Carmody. This has it all: immaculate structure, balance, power, poise and an effortless seamlessness. One of Australia’s greatest Rieslings, yet not in the spotlight nearly as much as it should be. A brilliant wine that glows brightly.

By Cassandra Charlick