First Village Riesling 2022

The reference to ‘First Village’ is because Bethany was the first settlement in the Barossa Valley, established in 1842 by the brave German immigrants from Silesia. Bethany Estate was established soon after and Johann Schrapel planted the estate’s first vines in 1852. Six generations later, the family is still offering superb local wines at great value. This Eden Valley Riesling is compelling evidence of that. 2022 is another sensational vintage for the Eden Valley, highlighted by a lengthy ripening period which avoided any serious heat spikes. For those keen on such information, the team blended the fruit from two vineyards – the Batten Vineyard (58%) and the Goodchild Vineyard (42%). Almost gin clear in colour, this is tight, restrained and focused. We have aromas incorporating florals, bath salts, grapefruit and wet slate. There is a thrilling steely background to these flavours, backed up with vibrant acidity. Decent length, this is still very youthful and will provide exciting drinking from now for the next six to eight years.

Riesling sourced from a single parcel in the Bethany Eden Valley vineyard. Pale in the glass with green flashes; notes of green apple, lime juice and pawpaw with hints of river stone, orange blossom, marzipan and an Aperol spritz note. Textured with a dab of clotted cream and apple turnover, the wine features a crisp, dry line and some yellow fruits appear on the finish.