2023 Rieslingfreak Riesling No. 33 Clare Valley 750 ml

We have long hailed Australia’s dry Rieslings as some of the greatest values in the wine world. But we’re not sure if we’ve ever seen a value like Rieslingfreak’s 2023 No. 33 Riesling.

This is a blend of top vineyard sites from one of the greatest vintages ever at this address—and Rieslingfreak is known as one the absolute best in the world with the grape. But unlike many of their high-end wines, No. 33 is crafted to be open and delicious on the table tonight. 

The wine press agrees that this bottle is a huge winner: Wine Enthusiast gave this bottle Editors’ Choice honors, and Wine Advocate’s Perth-based correspondent couldn’t stop raving: They called it “a sensational depiction of Clare Valley” and called anyone who can get their hands on it “lucky ducks!” 

With a name like Rieslingfreak, you know what you’re getting. Winemaker John Hughes is single-minded in his pursuit of greatness with the grape.

He makes a stunning range of Rieslings from across South Australia, and he’s collected the accolades to match, regularly placing multiple wines in Wine Advocate’s top five of the vintage. He’s also earned five “red” stars from Halliday Wine Companion, which called him “one of the finest winemakers of the variety.” 

No. 33 showcases fruit from two exceptional Clare Valley sources. The first is White Hutt—the vineyard owned by John's parents, Richard and Anne Hughes—where iron-rich clay soils produce wines with opulent fruit and weight. The second is the Jaeschke family's holdings in Polish Hill River, a cooler site that brings crystalline structure and pronounced minerality. Together, they create a Riesling that balances generosity with precision, the hallmark of great Clare Valley bottlings.

The 2023 growing season was defined by extremes that ultimately produced extraordinary results. An unusually cold and saturated spring—among the wettest on record—pushed back vine development by more than a month, setting the stage for an extended hang time. Summer brought cooler-than-average daytime highs and chilly nights, allowing flavors to develop without sacrificing the electric acidity that makes these wines so ageworthy.