Limefinger ‘The Learnings’ Riesling 2021

No secret that everyone is raving over the quality of wines from the Clare Valley in 2021, especially the rieslings (and, I should add, about the quality of wines in many regions – it is a cracker vintage). Limefinger is the retirement project for Neil Pike, well known to many for so many brilliant rieslings from Pikes (who are still doing sensational things, notwithstanding his absence), before he put down the secateurs (I jest – he had people for that) and picked up his golf clubs. In between rounds, he has made some seriously good rieslings. This is his second vintage for Limefinger. The fruit for this wine, as it did in 2020, comes from 20 year old vines on the St Clare Gardens “Honey Home” block, just a few minutes drive from the Watervale township.

This wine is crystal clear and with a gorgeous nose, both subtle and brimming with promise. Spices, lemon/lime notes, a character reminiscent of the topping on an Iced VoVo biscuit, lemongrass and more. The palate is soft and lingering with a very good flick of acidity to carry the flavours on the long finish. Seamless and balanced, the palate exhibits more of that lovely lime/lemon character and some florals. Glorious now but even better in ten. 1,250 bottles only.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.

Wine writer and critic