Mitchell Watervale Riesling 2024

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. 

"Clare Riesling from 2024 is going to make a lot of people very happy. It looks like we have another stellar vintage. The vines, dry grown, here are over sixty years of age. Near transparent in colour, this is wonderfully pungent. It seems to be dripping lime juice with florals, orange blossoms and lemon curd, with a wet stones backing. Excellent focus, this gives the impression of being layered in early complexity. There is great length and the intensity never waivers. Enjoy this for fifteen to twenty years if you can keep your hands off."  Ken Gargett

"The 2024 Watervale Riesling is 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."  Mitchell Wines

Expert reviews

"Mitchell wines have produced another outstanding riesling in 2024. Classic Clare with oodles of lime, lemon and jasmine and vibrant acidity running in a continuous stream from start to finish. From a great vintage and sixty year old vines - don't miss it!"  Nick Munday, Canterbury Wines - 96 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"The vibrant jasmine and white peach aromas of this youthful dry riesling leap out of the glass at you. Great concentration and purity on the totally focused, medium-bodied palate. More than enough juicy peach fruit to balance the glistening samurai-sword acidity that powers the very long, wet-stone and lime finish. Already delicious, but also has great aging potential. Drink or hold. Screw cap."  Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com - 96 points 

"If this is anything to go by there are going to be some sensational Rieslings from Clare and Watervale in 2024. Mineral citrus notes on the nose are super intense. The palate has a deep intensity with a crunchy lively lift extending to an extraordinarily long finish. Slaty crushed rock and wet pebbly features on the palate provide such appeal. This is high-class stuff. Drink by: 2024-2036."  Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot – 95 points

"Juiced Granny Smith apples, white pear and Feijoa flesh. Calamansi limes, Jonquil and Frangipani blossoms. Spring has sprung when you crack open a bottle of this wine. It’s filled with Polly Anna dreams and hope. Its fragrance penetrates the room like a diffuser on high. Candied apples, white peach and grapefruit juice on the palate. In the midst of this economic eye roll, this should be the wine on your weekly rotation, incredible value and flavour as always. Mitchell wines are here for your silver lining."  Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot – 95 points

"Clare Riesling from 2024 is going to make a lot of people very happy. It looks like we have another stellar vintage. Certainly, the early releases are more than exciting and this is very much in that category. The vines, dry grown, here are over sixty years of age. Near transparent in colour, this is wonderfully pungent. It seems to be dripping lime juice with florals, orange blossoms and lemon curd, with a wet stones backing. Excellent focus, this gives the impression of being layered in early complexity. There is great length and the intensity never waivers. Enjoy this for fifteen to twenty years if you can keep your hands off. Drink: 2024-2044."  Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot – 95 points

"A bomb of fragrancy with its lemon sherbet, squeezed lime, honeysuckle, tangerine, crushed rocks, and pear William. Refreshing and zesty, with a lemon pith-kind acidity, those dry extracts/solids work to masterfully fill the middle palate while donating some personality to the wine. A citrus-licious wine with a tense, lengthy and utterly satisfying mineral aftertaste. Drink: 2024-2020."  Lisa Cardelli, Wine Pilot – 95 points

Awards

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