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.

Following on from the German Kabinett style, this wine is low in alcohol with a finely-tuned balance of succulent residual sweetness and tangy natural acidity.

This wine sits in the medium-sweet zone for riesling. Notably slick and slippery in texture but with a core of stipple-pointed, super minerally acidity that helps lift and purify the wine. Golden Delicious apple, nashi pear, cumquat, lemongrass and crystallised ginger all feature here. It feels vividly fresh, even with the shimmer of honeyed gloss happening. It's supremely well-balanced, attractive and wildly drinkable stuff.  Date: Sept 2025; Alcohol: 7.5%; Price: $40.00; Drink by: 2034; Rating: 95 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion