Gold Medal & 95/100 – Royal Hobart Wine Show 2024
Gold Medal & 95/100 – Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2024
Jim Barry takes their Riesling very seriously and has built up a fantastic reputation for the variety. First released in 1974, the Watervale Riesling is picked from a special part of the famous Florita vineyard.
Clare Valley Riesling has that x-factor, much like Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, where the terroir is so well suited to making these refreshing, lip smackingly good, dry style Rieslings.
Winery notes (2024 Vintage)
"Located fifteen kilometres south of Clare township, the tiny village of Watervale is nestled in South Australia’s Clare Valley and is internationally renowned for the quality of its Rieslings. A consistently awarded wine since its first release in 1974, our Watervale Riesling is picked from select parcels of vines that achieve ripeness with naturally high acid levels.
Explosive aromas of jasmine floral and zesty citrus leap from the glass. The palate is spritely and energetic, with generous fruit that frames a firm lime citrus core. Preserved lemon, lime and hints of white peach flesh, flow through the palate and linger well after the wine is gone."
93/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, August 2024 (2024 Vintage)
"This seems to be a very good JB Riesling. Lemongrass, lime leaf, lime, a bit floral and spicy, with a distinct gin and tonic bite and some bathtime fun perfume. It has a powdery texture, a crisp and lively character, blackcurrant and lavender, and pretty bloody good length. Maybe there’s a little bit of ruggedness to it, but gee, it’s frisky and delicious."
93/100 Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com, Wine Advocate, March 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"The 2024 Watervale Riesling is utterly lovely, classic Clare Riesling, with cut lime, green apple, juicy acidity and just a little hint of cheesecloth/lees complexity in the mouth. 2024 was a variable vintage, but those who succeeded did so with aplomb."
92/100 Dave Sly, Decanter UK, November 2024 (2024 Vintage)
"The glowing reputation of Riesling from the Watervale sub-region in Clare rests upon the foundation laid down by this important and very affordable wine. Consistent over decades in its flavour profile and vitality, Watervale provides a reliable and delicious entry point to appreciate this sub-region’s fresh, zingy, citrus-driven style of Riesling. It’s pale – almost translucent – and bone dry with a distinct juiciness that allows its lively lemon-and-lime flavours to pop. An edge of lemongrass adds an exotic seam to the palate, while a steely acid spine keeps the flavours running long and true."
91/100 Mike Bennie, James Halliday's Wine Companion, February 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"A simple, done-well expression of riesling with vivacious lemon-lime Splice fruit characters married to gingery spice, a touch of grassiness, some just-ripe pineapple and a flinty, mineral tickle. Succulent, refreshing, good drinking."
91/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review, February 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"Virtually water-white in the glass. Lemon zest and seaspray aromatics. Zippy and fresh with a core of lemon and lime fruits, wrapped by bright acidity that accentuates a salty mineral undertone. Good length, not bone-dry but between the acid and phenolics the finish is well balanced. Great value here."