2026 'Lot Two Three' Riesling

Lot Two Three is the the title of the section of Gullyview Vineyards in which we source the grapes for this wine, Lot 23.

Cooler start to the season and spring rains were welcomed. A later bud burst led to longer hang time for the grapes compared to the previous couple of vintages. Yields were slighlty down on what we would have liked but the fruit quality looked great!

On the eye you get a stunning subtle golden hue with a touch of fluorescent green. The nose is super floral, with hints of pine needle and banana blossom, a touch of white spice and freshly squeezed lemons. The pallet has a beautiful silkiness to it as soon as it hits, typical Watervale bright citrus characters jump out with a touch of orange citrus too, joined with gentle mineral characters from the limestone the vineyard is grown on, which offers a touch of chalkiness, there is a real freshness and a pure rainwater character here, with a touch of tonic and salinity, which makes for the ultimate refreshment wine!

Vineyard: Gullyview Vineyard, Watervale
Blocks: G11/G5 Gullyview
Planted: 1999, 02 grafted 22
Soil type: Black and Red clay on limestone
Picking date: February 27 and March 6, 2026. Picking method: Machine harvested early morning
Time on skins: 3 hours
Processing: Crush and destemmed
Pressing: Take free run juice and pressings
Cooling / settling: Cold settled off dirt and heavy solids for 3 days
Fermentation: Stainless steel for 3 weeks at 18 degrees
Aging vessel: Stainless steel on fine lees for 5 months
Filtration: Crossflow
Fining: No
Alc: 11.2% alc (6.7 Standard Drinks)

2026 'Lot Two Three' Riesling - 93 Points

Grown in Watervale on black and red clay over limestone soils. Matured in stainless steel on fine lees for 5 months.  An exhilarating aroma of zested lemons
and apple blossom, some sherbet and kiwi. The crunch of nashi pears and roasted and salted almonds. That kernel character and lemon pith brings a gauze like
texture to the wine but driving acidity still keeps it sliding across your palate. A dry and textured riesling this calls for meaty seafood like crayfish
tail or cod. Drink now or allow to rest in the cool of your cellar for another decade, this should intensify those nutty almond notes.
Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

2026 'Lot Two Three' Riesling - 93 Points

Plenty of generous citrus and stone fruit up front with a lovely floral, spicy backbone. The palate is still quite reserved with underlying fruit concentration and power waiting to unravel with time in bottle, framed by bright acidity and a moreish finish with a hint of spice.Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Ryan Montgomery (James Suckling)

2026 'Lot Two Three' Riesling - 93 Points

Watervale in Clare as the border, clever winemaking fills in between the lines. Koerner, Jono, at the helm here.

Pristine, citrusy, a little saline, puffs of talc and a squish of green apple, green pineapple. Bouquet and palate align. It’s tightly wound, dart shaped, has just the faintest savoury undertow and drives its racy riesling message home with aplomb. Really delicious and refreshing. Just so.

Mike Bennie (Wine Front)