Mitchell Watervale Riesling 2023

In 1975 Andrew and Jane Mitchell took over the family farm in the Clare Valley and established Mitchell Wines. They are one of the stalwarts of the Clare Valley and are renowned for the production of long-lived rieslings. Over the years the Mitchells have established or acquired 80ha of vineyards on 4 excellent sites. Some of the vines are over 60 years old and are all managed organically. 

"Flavour. Texture. Precision. Poise. A scintillating riesling of strong regional character, yet details of citrusy fruit, saline minerality, faint nutty savouriness and talc-like textural pucker. Fantastic. It's a highly perfumed expression with extreme length, vitality and freshness with drinkability now and a sense that time in the cellar will bode very, very well. Straight up delicious, with plenty going on. The 2023 release is a belter. Kudos."  Mike Bennie

"Bright and clear with pale straw hues. Aromas of stone fruit and white flowers. A classic Watervale palate of lemon and lime with crunchy acid throughout and bath salts on the finish. The flavours refresh and linger on the palate with perfect balance of fruit and acid.

Mitchell Watervale Riesling is crafted in the same traditional, low intervention style that has been used consistently for the past 45 years. The crop once picked is treated carefully in the winery, where only the highest quality free-run juice is used. The wine experiences a long, gentle fermentation with indigenous vineyard yeasts. Then is left to rest on its fine lees, resulting in a textural, approachable wine that is characterised by its refreshing acid, finesse and balance.

A wet a cold winter was followed by an extremely mild summer; sunny days were few and far between. This resulted in a very slow ripening period, but with this was exceptional flavour development and acid retention. Our Riesling vineyards had great soil moisture heading into the growing season with big full canopies, the vines were never stressed, and the fruit picked was outstanding."  Mitchell Wines

Expert reviews

"One of the highlights of the 2023 rieslings from the Clare Valley. A superb wine that offers outstanding value for money - if you're a 'riesling-phile', back up the truck!  Heaps of citrus fruit and jasmine on a palate of exquisite purity and freshness that lingers on and on." Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines - 96 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"Flavour. Texture. Precision. Poise. A scintillating riesling of strong regional character, yet details of citrusy fruit, saline minerality, faint nutty savouriness and talc-like textural pucker. Fantastic. It's a highly perfumed expression with extreme length, vitality and freshness with drinkability now and a sense that time in the cellar will bode very, very well. Straight up delicious, with plenty going on. Mitchell delivers the goods with this variety, and the 2023 release is a belter. Kudos. Drink by 2035."  Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"Maybe not your average Clare Valley Riesling here, maybe a little more Germanic, if you don’t mind me. Here we have apple, lime and lemongrass, with a jasmine flower thing. It’s juicy, all ginger, lime and lemongrass, quite spicy, fleshy too with rich mint and apple flavour in the mix. Texture is gently chalky and something of a highlight, cashew, aniseed and exotic spice. Finish is excellent, maybe a little sweetness too by way of lime cordial. Zesty. Lovely wine. Drink: 2023 - 2032+."  Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 95 points

"The wine is jubilant with native florals and citrus zest. Lime sorbet, fig leaf and Lemon Myrtle. There is a woody smell of sandalwood and a base note of vanilla sugar. The freshness of cut celery and green apple peel leads to a pithy lace like texture with a crunchy crisp finish. Acidity flows along the palate and lime oil lingers on the finish. There is always an added layer of phenolic tension in this wine and once again it delivers the aromatics of the Clare Valley with the added details of great wine making. Drink now or will cellar well for 8-10 years. Serve with butterflied spatchcock and preserved lemon. Drink by: 2023-2033."  Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot – 95 points

"This is classic Clare Valley Riesling made with a hands-off approach to allow the Watervale fruit to shine. With aromas of orange blossom, elderflower, lime juice and lemon zest, it screams youthful exuberance. In the mouth it is gorgeously bright and sherbetty with concentrated flavours of white nectarines and more of that citrus spritz. A long, slow fermentation with natural yeast adds a hint of spicy complexity, sure to develop further as it settles in the bottle. Time to rest on lees following fermentation has led to a silky slippery texture that begs for a fresh summer seafood pairing. Drink by: 2023-2038."  Nicole Bilson, Wine Pilot – 94 points

Awards

Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★
Special Value Wine – Canterbury Wines   ★

About the winery

"In 1975 Andrew and Jane Mitchell took over the family farm in the Clare Valley and established Mitchell Wines. One of the stalwarts of the Clare Valley, they produce long-lived rieslings and cabernet sauvignons in classic regional style. The range now includes very creditable semillon, grenache and shiraz. A lovely old stone apple shed is the cellar door and upper section of the upgraded winery. Children Angus and Edwina are now working in the business, heralding generational changes. Over the years the Mitchells have established or acquired 80ha of vineyards on 4 excellent sites, some vines over 60 years old; all are managed organically, with biodynamic composts used for over a decade."  James Halliday