2024 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling

Highly Rated
German-inspired Riesling from the Clare Valley, made in a classic Kabinett style.
4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
4 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$34.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

One of the great things about Riesling is that you can mold it into any form you like. Want it dry? Ferment it dry. Want it sweet? You can have that, too...

John Hughes loves Riesling in all its forms and guises.

The No. 8 from Rieslingfreak is modelled off the German Kabinett style of Riesling. It's picked early to preserve the searing natural acid of young Clare Valley fruit, then has the ferment arrested just as John decrees that the balance of sugar and acid is right where he wants it.

It's sweet yet refreshing all at once. This is one of the top of the pile sweeter-styled Riesling in the country.

96 points
"It's an enchantingly pure wine, its finely honed tension making it appear drier than you'd expect, with a fine, minerally cadence, an ache of umami and a drawn-out lime sorbet finish. Superb drinking."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points
"What a journey this wine takes you on...The vineyard shines here with sweetness perfectly matched to suit the character of the fruit. It’s JUST right and a demonstration as to why you need to be a freak of all things Riesling to produce wine this good. Cellar for another 20 years if you have the patience of a saint. Serve with luscious pork belly."
- Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

96 points - "An unctuous Polish Hill River-born riesling from the Jaeschke family vineyard that sports 32 g/L of RS in an Aussie Kabinett style. Super pale with a green flash and pure and expressive fruit tones of lime, grapefruit, custard apple, feijoa and pomelo with underlying hints of orange blossom, frangipani, riverstone and some vaguely earthy mycelial undertones. It's an enchantingly pure wine, its finely honed tension making it appear drier than you'd expect, with a fine, minerally cadence, an ache of umami and a drawn-out lime sorbet finish. Superb drinking." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "What a journey this wine takes you on. At first glance you’ll find Buddha’s hand citrus, citron and grapefruit. A touch of magnolia and sage leaf. There is an earthy oyster mushroom and sandstone quality. Then BAM Smack your lips and call me betty. A waterfall of dill, pickled radish and guava. The vineyard shines here with sweetness perfectly matched to suit the character of the fruit. It’s JUST right and a demonstration as to why you need to be a freak of all things Riesling to produce wine this good. Cellar for another 20 years if you have the patience of a saint. Serve with luscious pork belly." - Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

96 points - "Abundant natural acidity in grapes from the 2024 vintage serves the Schatzkammer Riesling style perfectly. This wine follows the German Kabinett model, with grapes picked early and alcohol kept low, although the flavour intensity is ramped up high, thanks to careful development of residual sugar to balance the high acid profile. The resulting sweet aromas of tropical fruits – led by custard apple and passionfruit – sprinkled with nutmeg, carries through to a luscious palate that is balanced by firm acid and bracing minerality. An even-tempered model that celebrates rich Riesling texture." - David Sly (Decanter)

Customer Reviews

4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 2 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 0
4 reviews
  • EB
    Estelle B.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    2023 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling
    Reviewing
    2023 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    Not quite the same

    The 2023 vintage was not the same as our first bottle which was earlier . Definitely lacked the fruity sweetness and had a slightly acidic after burn to the palate . Pity, it’s not aka ways a good thing to sell something under the same name “ No 8 …..” and it clearly tastes like 8a . I bought 6 bottles and sadly not reminiscent of my first 2019 bottle

  • NC
    Nigel C.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling
    Reviewing
    2022 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Yet another amazing Riesling from Rieslingfreak

    Loved this wine and so did my friends.

  • DW
    Derek W.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    2022 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling
    Reviewing
    2022 Rieslingfreak No. 8 Schatzkammer Polish Hill River Riesling
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    2022 Drop

    Nice drop -- glad to see Riesling in Australia!

Reviews LoadedReviews Added

Rieslingfreak No.8 is harvested from the Polish Hill River vineyard. Schatzkammer is a German word meaning ‘ Treasure Chamber’. This is where German Winemakers store their treasured wines. The No.8 is made in a German Kabinett style. Due to European labelling laws, we are not legally allowed to use the word ‘Kabinett’ on wine labels. Therefore, I have used the work Schatzkammer, a play on the word Kabinett, and it is my treasured wine!

Harvested early in the season, the wine is low in alcohol. Made in a sweet Kabinett style, the wine also retains great amounts of acid, balancing out the sweetness and fruit perfectly.


Region: Clare Valley, SA
Blend: Riesling (100%)
Bottle Size: 750ml

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type White
Sub Type Riesling | Sweet
Body Light Bodied
Variety Riesling
Country Australia
Region Clare Valley
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Wine Pilot
Halliday Wine Companion
Decanter
Critic Score 96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

Rieslingfreak

Rieslingfreak founder & winemaker John Hughes is quite simply making the most comprehensive, high-quality and remarkably priced range of Rieslings in the country.

Growing up in the family Riesling vineyard in Clare Valley, which John still farms today, Riesling simply runs through this man's blood. John, with the help of his talented winemaking wife Belinda, make only Riesling - not a bottle of any other variety - and they've honed their craft to a level unmatched in Australia.

They are two of the nicest people you're likely to meet, so wholeheartedly committed to their vision and craft, and we are proud to have worked so closely with them for so many years. These wines rank amongst the very best value to be found anywhere in Australia, and we give them our fullest recommendation. Enjoy!

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