Jim Barry purchased the Lodge Hill vineyard in 1977, as he was sure it would “produce some of the best Riesling in Clare.” Situated on the eastern ranges of the township of Clare, it is one of the highest vineyards in the Valley at an altitude of 480 metres, and is ideal for producing steely, minerally Rieslings, distinctive to the area. Crystal like clarity. Straw colour and green hues. Rich and lifted. Lime Citrus, pink grapefruit and a hint of spice. Supportive of aromas. Zingy natural acid backbone, with flavours of mandarin, white peach and strawberry.
Gold Medal - 2011 Royal Brisbane Wine Show
Jim Barry bought Lodge Hill in 1977, sure its 480m altitude would produce high quality riesling. This wine has a complex bouquet of spice, citrus and apple, the balanced palate even more complex, with its flavour span anchored by citrus but extending into cool-climate chardonnay notes of white peach and grapefruit. Rating: 95 points, $19.95, screwcap, 12.5% alc; Drink to 2025 with vegetarian terrine; James Halliday Top 100 for 2011; The Weekend Australian, November 19
A super fresh-cut salad of citrus - lemons, grapefruit, lime zest; all the great character lines of the variety in spades with a dry, flinty, minerally texture that's just wonderfully refreshing drinking. Put a dozen in the cellar for future aged riesling pleasures; Food: Oysters with salsa; Score: 94 Points; Tony Love; Taste.com.au Top 100 Wines for 2011
In a generally flat riesling market, Peter Barry reports a 40 per cent increase in riesling sales over the last year. He crows, too, about 2011, “as a wonderful vintage in Clare for riesling”. Now we can judge for ourselves in these two rieslings from the Barry family estate – one for the elevated Lodge Hill vineyard near Clare township, the other from the Florita vineyard at Watervale in the valley’s south. The Lodge Hill wine shows lemony varietal flavour, delicacy and length. The Watervale wine seems more minerally with some background lime-like flavours. Both impress for their delicacy and lively acidity – features of this cool vintage. Chris Shanahan
Barry's purchase in 1977 of a picturesque property called Lodge Hill, which occupies one of the highest points in the Clare Valley, was one of his many masterstrokes. There, he established a vineyard for the prime purpose of cementing his growing status as a riesling perfectionist. His judgment has consistently been proven right, and as recently as last week when the delicious lime-apple enriched 2011 The Lodge Hill Dry Riesling ($19), crafted by Jim's son Peter, captured one of the only two gold medals awarded in the riesling class at the Royal Queensland Wine Show. Barry firmly believes the 2011 riesling vintage in Clare will earn a place in the great vintages of the past decade. Having put not only the 2011 The Lodge Hill to the test, but his super 2011 Watervale Riesling ($18) as well, I reckon he's on the money with that assessment. John Fordham; The Sunday Telegraph