Rieslingfreak "#12 - Flaxman Valley" Eden Valley Riesling 2022

Wine Advocate : 96 Points

(12/15/2022) You've got to have a bit of the masochist in you to drink Eden Valley Riesling in the same year it was made, such is the tension of acidity in the mouth. It's thrilling, and I don't say that lightly. The fruit for this 2022 No. 12 comes from a vineyard in Flaxman's Valley, up in Eden, and it is a tightly coiled, wound up and mineral. There is an austere kind of flesh to the bones here; in Riesling terms, you'd be remiss to use any other word than 'powerful.' This is sensational: muscly, lean and lithe. 2021 and 2022 were a fine pair of vintages to have side by side, and if it's possible, I think the inherent power in this 2022 iteration places it slightly ahead of the floral, graceful 2021. Drink Date: 2022 - 2042.

Vinous - Angus Hughson : 94 Points

(3/2023) This delightful 2022 Riesling No. 12 Flaxman Valley delivers beautifully perfumed lavender, citrus and mandarin peel aromas - all lively, concentrated and focused. Flavors are equally detailed and precise, delivering bath salts, spice and citrus over a long, silky, fresh finish. Super wine with excellent length and fantastic value. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033.

Wine Enthusiast : 95 Points

(5/1/2025) Flaxman Valley is one of the Eden's crown jewel subregions and it shows in this gem of a wine. Pale yellow-hued, it's tightly wound and structured to age, with flint and lamp oil notes alongside lime leaf, lavender and chalk dust. The palate is dry with a lovely pithy texture, bright, citrusy acidity and a super long finish. Forget about this for years and it'll keep on shining, or drink in its complexities right now. What a bargain to boot.

James Suckling : 95 Points

(10/8/2022) A very complex and expressive Eden Valley dry riesling with a very wide spectrum of aromas from lime to orange blossom and sushi ginger. Stunning depth and vitality on the super-focused palate. Incredible wet stone intensity at the limey finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.