Description

PRODUCER:
Certain names resonate strongly within Australian wine history, and Jim Barry is one of them. It was Jim Barry’s drive that helped shape South Australia’s Clare Valley as a benchmark producer of world-class Riesling and cemented it as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. Jim was the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, graduating with a degree in oenology from the prestigious Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947. Founded in 1959, Jim Barry Wines is still family owned, with three generations of Roseworthy graduates. Jim’s son Peter became managing director in 1985, and today Peter’s children Tom, Sam and Olivia are the winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador respectively. Voted ‘2020 Winery of the Year’ at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards, they produce highly acclaimed, award-winning wines.

VINEYARD:
The Clare Valley is a series of undulating hills within the higher ranges of the grape-growing area. Vine aspect and row orientation are as critical as soil type in terms of the suitability of a vineyard site for a particular variety. Distinct parcels of fruit are selected to make wines that reflect the vineyard from which the grapes are grown. This Riesling was sourced from the McKay’s vineyard in Watervale. South or east-facing slopes are best suited for Riesling as they are shielded from the hot northerly winds that can occur during summer and also receive the cooler morning sun. The soil in the McKay’s vineyard is clay over limestone, which is free-draining. The Clare Valley climate is continental with a high diurnal temperature difference and clear skies. The cool nights lead to the preservation of crisp natural acidity and delicate flavours.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were harvested in the cool of the night to preserve the flavours in the fruit. The fruit was immediately pressed without skin contact, and after cold settling, the juice was racked. Fermentation took place with a proportion of the lighter ‘fluffy’ lees and selected yeasts at 14 to 16°C, lasting two to three weeks. A small parcel was cool fermented in aged French oak barrels to enhance the texture of the wine.

TASTING NOTE:
Floral aromas of pink grapefruit, lime and a lift of tropical guava lead to a generous yet precise palate with a light, creamy texture, stone fruits and a lively, mineral finish.

GRAPES:
Riesling 100%.