For John Hughes, the attraction to Riesling is all encompassing. Growing up on a small vineyard in the Clare Valley, and going on to work with some of the brightest Riesling makers in the country before launching his own venture, John is never far away from his beloved grape. John makes classic Australian styles from carefully selected vineyards with an emphasis on purity and site reflection, as well as German-inspired expressions that balance acidity and sugar with singular precision.

Rieslingfreak No.12 is harvested from individually selected vines from the Mason and Zander family vineyards in Flaxman Valley in High Eden, a premium sub-region of Eden Valley. Renown for growing world-class Riesling of unrivalled elegance, this wine captures the very essence of the High Eden subregion in all its splendour. This wine was first released in 2021 to celebrate John’s achievement as being heralded as Barossa’s Winemaker of the Year.

Flaxman Valley–sourced riesling is really delivering the goods. There's a little more concentration of aromas and flavours here compared to the other Eden Valley offering from the Freak. That classic regional Bickford's lime cordial note is there, along with achingly pure fresh lime, green apple and grapefruit cut with hints of lemongrass, ozone, orange blossom, Christmas lily, crushed stone and lime zest. Bone dry, taut and sleek, with a scorching mineral cadence and long, porcelain core of limey fruit that shoots forth like a laser. Woah! Date: Aug 2026; Alcohol: 11.5%; Price: $37.00; Drink by: 2038; Rating: 96 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion

From three vineyards up in Flaxman Valley, Eden Valley. The dress circle, if you will. Golly, this is a delight to drink, or more so it should really scratch an itch for the acid hound riesling enthusiast. It’s a little more open weave than some other 2026 releases from Rieslingfreak, not better, not lesser, just very inviting from hello. Quite a bit of that Eden blackcurrant, blackcurrant leaf thing here, a piquancy and pleasing bitterness almost like a proper, citrus-led vermouth here too. Acid is bright, very intense, prominent, super refreshing and palate drying. Chalkiness and saline notes in tow. Lots of bones and wet pebble-laced lime juice hanging off them. Impressive stuff. Date: Aug 2026; Alcohol: 11.5%; Price: $38; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2026-2040; Rated: 95 Points; Mike Bennie; The Wine Front