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.3 is harvested from the family vineyard. The heavy red clay soils contribute to the fruit intensity of this wine, providing a fruit driven style of Riesling. Being from Clare, the wine has classic flavours of ripe lemon and lime and some tropical fruit notes. The Riesling drinks well young, but will also reward with cellaring.

The No.3 comes mostly from the family vineyard in White Hutt, Clare Valley. Sliced pear, citrus blossom, lemon sherbet, lime leaf and wet slate. The palate is lean and mean with electric acidity, lovely minerality and a slightly saline, salty finish with a strong citrus drive. Delicious now but will be even better with some age. Drink or hold. Screw cap. Rating: 96 Points; James Suckling

The No.3 comes mostly from the family vineyard in White Hutt, Clare Valley. This is the wickedly fresh, go-to riesling from Rieslingfreak's suite of '26 releases. It marries superb balance, lively acidity and minerality, strict, citrusy freshness and a genial suppleness to texture that shouts loud in its inherent drinkability, accessibility and charm. Concentration is notable and warrants higher merit in the conversation around quality. A very good riesling, and brilliant at the price. Date: Aug 2026; Alcohol: 10.5%; Price: $29.00; Drink by: 2035; Rating: 95 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion