Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling 2025: 97 Points & Top 100 Australian Wines

James Suckling Crowns This Eden Valley Icon as One of Australia's Finest

When one of the world's most influential wine critics awards 97 points and includes a wine in his prestigious Top 100 Australian Wines, you know you're experiencing something truly exceptional. The Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling 2025 has achieved exactly that, earning acclaim from James Suckling alongside an impressive collection of accolades that cement its status as one of Australia's finest white wines.

The James Suckling Verdict: 97 Points

"Tightly wound and pure aromas of lemon pith, grapefruit rind, slate, passion fruit, fresh herbs and white flowers. The palate is sharp and focused, with bright acidity and a firm line of minerality carrying notes of mandarin and chalk. The finish is both electric and precise. Excellent. Drink or hold."

– James Suckling, Top 100 Wines of Australia

This isn't just a high score – it's recognition of a wine that exemplifies everything great about Australian Riesling. Suckling's tasting note captures the essence of what makes Eden Valley Riesling so special: purity, precision, and that distinctive minerality that sets it apart from Rieslings around the world.

A Chorus of Critical Acclaim

The James Suckling accolade is joined by equally impressive reviews from Australia's most respected wine critics:

95 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday's Wine Companion

"Riesling sourced from the High Eden subregion of the Eden Valley and produced by that freak of riesling John Hughes. High-tensile and wonderfully focused as always. There are aromas of freshly juiced limes, green apple and grapefruit with a dab of soft spice, crushed quartz, sliced fennel, orange blossom, Christmas lily and ozone. Tightly coiled, with a crystalline focus, it zooms across the palate, leaving a limey wake. Finishes bone dry, nervy and lip-smacking."

93+ Points – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

"No.4 could be No.1 if it tried harder, though it doesn't really need to. This is ballistic drinking at the price. Tight, racy, skeletal, all the lemon verbena, lemongrass, pickled ginger, the piercing thrust of saline minerality, the brittle finish with all its speckles of almost fizzing, mouthwatering quartz and crystals."

The High Eden Difference

What makes the Rieslingfreak No.4 so exceptional? It starts with the terroir. Sourced from selected vineyards across High Eden Flaxman Valley, Angaston and Springton, this wine captures the essence of Eden Valley's southern ranges – a region renowned worldwide for producing Rieslings of elegance, perfume and minerality.

The 2025 vintage showcases:

• Intense aromatics of fresh limes, passionfruit and rosewater
• Spicy complexity from fennel seed and star anise
• Elegant slate minerality that defines Eden Valley
• Punchy flavours of lime juice and elderflower cordial
• Tightly wound acidity with a fine, crisp finish

The Perfect Pairing

This wine's sharp focus and bright acidity make it an exceptional companion for sophisticated dining. The critics agree – it's a wine that demands to be paired with food.

Ideal pairings include:

• Fresh oysters and sashimi
• Grilled fish with citrus
• Asian cuisine with aromatic herbs
• Goat's cheese and light salads
• Sophisticated seafood preparations

The wine's tightly wound acidity and slate minerality cut through rich flavours whilst its aromatic complexity complements delicate dishes. It's the kind of wine that elevates a meal from good to unforgettable.

A Wine for Now and the Future

One of the most exciting aspects of the Rieslingfreak No.4 is its versatility. As James Suckling notes: "Drink or hold." This wine is exceptional now, with its vibrant fruit and electric finish, but it also has the structure and acidity to develop beautifully over the coming years.

Eden Valley Riesling is renowned for its ageing potential, developing complex honey, toast and petrol notes whilst maintaining that signature acidity. The 2025 No.4, with its 97-point pedigree, is a wine worth cellaring – if you can resist drinking it now.

The Rieslingfreak Philosophy

Winemaker John Hughes – affectionately known as "that freak of riesling" – has built his reputation on producing consistently excellent Eden Valley Rieslings. The No.4 represents his commitment to showcasing the unique character of High Eden fruit, with minimal intervention and maximum expression of place.

The result? A wine that critics describe as:

• "High-tensile and wonderfully focused"
• "Sharp and focused with bright acidity"
• "Tight, racy, skeletal"
• "Electric and precise"

Exceptional Value

Perhaps most remarkably, this 97-point, Top 100 Australian Wine is available at just $23.99 (RRP $26.99). As Mike Bennie notes, this is "ballistic drinking at the price" – a sentiment echoed by wine lovers who recognise exceptional value when they see it.

In a world where top-scoring wines often command premium prices, the Rieslingfreak No.4 offers an accessible entry point to world-class Australian Riesling.

Why Eden Valley Riesling Matters

Eden Valley has established itself as one of the world's premier Riesling regions, producing wines that rival the best from Germany's Mosel and Alsace in France. The region's high altitude, cool climate and ancient soils create ideal conditions for Riesling, resulting in wines with:

• Intense aromatics
• Vibrant acidity
• Distinctive minerality
• Exceptional ageing potential
• Pure fruit expression

The Rieslingfreak No.4 2025 is a perfect ambassador for the region, showcasing everything that makes Eden Valley Riesling so special.

The Verdict

With 97 points from James Suckling, inclusion in the Top 100 Australian Wines, and glowing reviews from Australia's most respected critics, the Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling 2025 is more than just a great wine – it's a benchmark for Australian Riesling.

Whether you're a seasoned Riesling enthusiast or new to the variety, this wine offers an exceptional opportunity to experience world-class Australian winemaking at an accessible price point.

Tightly wound. Electric. Precise. Excellent.

The critics have spoken. Now it's your turn to discover why the Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling 2025 is one of Australia's finest wines.

Shop Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling 2025

Published: 18th February 2026 - Prices accurate at time of publishing.