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.

The 2023 No.10 is a blend of 50% Polish Hill River (Clare Valley) and 50% Flaxman Valley (Eden Valley), from specially selected sites across three of their most outstanding vineyards of the year.

Very pale colour. Cream, gardenia and lemon-pith aromas, quite ethereal. The bouquet is the most reserved of this maker's '23s. Some talcy/powder-puff aromas, restrained pot-pourri. Very dry with crisp acidity, all natural: it's the wine in this range that needs the most time and most demands to be cellared. An austere, tight wine: very intense fruit flavour supported by a solid backbone of acidity. The least ready to drink, obviously built to last. (50% Polish Hill River, 50% Flaxman Valley. Almost bone dry on the riesling scale). Date: Oct 2023; Alcohol: 12%; Price: $45.00; Drink: 2025-2038; Rating: 97 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review