Hardys HRB Riesling 2017

Stuart McCloskey, tasted 6 August 2026 "The wine shines with a lustrous golden hue, catching the light like the late evening sunshine - a beautiful indication of gentle bottle maturity.

The bouquet is wonderfully expressive and beautifully poised, revealing a kaleidoscope of kaffir lime leaf, preserved lemon, grapefruit zest and fragrant citrus blossom, all wrapped around an unmistakable core of wet slate and crushed quartz. With a little air, beeswax, white flowers and a whisper of lanolin begin to emerge, hinting at the graceful evolution already underway.

The palate is captivating from the very first sip. A wonderfully textured mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied with a gentle oily viscosity, yet the vibrant acidity delivers remarkable precision and laser-like focus. Waves of lime, preserved salted lemon and pink grapefruit wash effortlessly across the palate before giving way to an intense mineral core. The years in bottle have added another dimension of texture and complexity without diminishing the wine's vitality. There is impressive concentration here, but never at the expense of balance. The finish is intensely saline, mouth-wateringly fresh and astonishingly persistent, leaving lingering impressions of citrus peel, chalk, crushed stone, and crystalline purity. The flavours and sensations resonate for minutes…

I genuinely believe Hardys HRB Riesling is one of Australia's finest Rieslings at this price point. It delivers remarkable pedigree, complexity and effortless drinkability in equal measure. Quite simply, it is pure deliciousness and, judging by its remarkable balance and vitality, will continue to reward careful cellaring for at least another decade. Served in Zalto Universal stemware."

96 points - Jane Faulkner, James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion "A harmonious blend from the Clare Valley and Tasmania. It steals the best from each - the lime-lemon juice and zest of the Clare matched with the mineral thread of acidity and depth of flavour from Tasmania, and rolls them into a synergistic whole. Pure, precise and pristine, with great length."