Beautiful words from Nick Ryan on our collaboration with Dr. Loosen. This year marks 10 years since we produced the first Wolta Wolta Riesling, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the response to the soon-to-be-released 2023 vintage, alongside the inaugural release of our carefully cellared debut from 2016.

2023 also marks the first release of our Slate Hill wine, and it’s a bit of a beauty, too.

2023 Loosen Barry Wolta Wolta Riesling - 96 Points

Where classic Clare Riesling is fine detail viewed in tight focus, this is a deep and dazzling image projected through a kaleidoscope. Its "otherness" is aromatically evident. Mango skin, lemongrass, preserved lemon, tangy margarita rims, and a smidge of sourdough starter.

2016 Loosen Barry Wolta Wolta Riesling - 96 Points

The first Wolta Wolta made, hitherto unreleased. It was deemed too withdrawn alongside the 2017, but has since evolved beautifully. Candid lime and nashi pear. A little anise spice. Supple texture, gentle fullness leaning into a crushed cashew creaminess. Graceful and unwavering acidity.

2023 Loosen Barry Slate Hill Riesling - 95 Points

Fruit from several blocks surrounding the Lodge Hill Block 18, designated for Wolta Wolta, goes into stainless steel, rather than oak, for its maturation on lees. Effusive aromatic exoticism, jasmine and cumquat blossom, lime zest, coriander. A talcy fluffiness to it, like a jar of bath salts bumped from a bathroom shelf.