John Innes is a 30-year veteran of Coonawarra, with a deep knowledge of it and the surrounding region that he is putting to good use with his Ottelia project. We continue to be impressed by the wines made under the Ottelia label, which consistently deliver excellent varietal purity and value-for-money. Produced from grapes grown on the Innes family vineyard in Mount Gambier, the 2025 Ottelia Riesling is another intensely flavoured and complex Riesling, with fragrant aromas of lime, lemon thyme and citrus blossom leaping out of the glass. The palate is beautifully structured with citrus, herbal and mineral notes balanced with lively natural acidity, leading to a long, clean finish. "92 Points. Riesling seems well done from Mount Gambier these days. A little groundswell of producers eking out good things. Soil from volcanos, maritime influence, good farming, it all seems to be conspiring. Quite glossy for riesling, feels a little cloying but in a good sense; let’s call it depth and richness. That being said, the undertow is all brine, lemony acidity, and the make up above that offers lemon verbena, chamomile tea, red apple, just-ripe nectarine. It feels opulent for the variety, but holds it well. Charming stuff, feels apt for posh dining, in that old school riesling sense. Bring on the fois and gras. Tasted: SEP25. 11.8% alc. $32 Screwcap. Drink: 2025 - 2029"- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
