Critic ratings
robert_parker
2022
Rating:
95
–95
2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Julius Riesling, and what a vintage to be able to commemorate. 2022 was blisteringly good, seemingly everywhere in South Australia (and Western Australia too), and that was never more true than for Riesling. Here, in the 2022 Julius Riesling, the tension and savory precision that marks Julius is out in full force; the wine this year is littered with preserved lemon, brine, pith and crushed shells (odd, sure, given the non-proximity to ocean!) and, more interesting, leafy things too, like green tea and orchard leaves. Kaffir lime, also? Excellent.
robert_parker
2021
Rating:
91
–91
More concentrated and taut than the Peggy's Hill bottling, Henschke's 2021 Julius Riesling is almost unfruity at first whiff, with scents limited to hints of crushed stone and chalk dust. Those slowly yield to notes of mixed citrus, including grapefruit, lemon and lime. It's medium-bodied on the palate and tightly focused, built around a narrow beam of acidity that drives through the long, lively finish. It can be enjoyed now—preferably with some fresh-shucked Coffin Bay oysters—or cellared up to a decade (and probably longer).
robert_parker
2018
Rating:
91
–91
The tart, steely 2018 Julius Riesling combines hints of lime and green apple with a dry, tongue-on-steel feel. It's lively despite the austerity, light-bodied and taut, needing some oysters as accompaniment or, if you prefer aged Aussie Riesling, a good 5-8 years in the cellar to round out.
robert_parker
2023
Rating:
95
–95
The 2023 Julius Riesling is supremely elegant and fine, with flow and finesse in equal measure. It's a very impressive wine, which expounds pear, green apple, lime flesh, layers of crushed shells, ginger lily and lashings of almond meal and white pepper. This superstar wine is elegant and svelte. 12% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
robert_parker
2014
Rating:
93
–93
The 2014 Riesling Julius has youthfully muted notes of fresh limes, grapefruit skin, green apples and fresh herbs. The palate has incredible tension with a very crisp acid line supporting the tightly wound flavors, finish with loads of freshness matched by flavor. Give it another four or five years before broaching.
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
91
–91
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Henry's Seven (a Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and Viognier blend) has a nose of blackberries, black cherries and black raspberries with hint of Chinese five spice, aniseed and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with a great foundation of firm, chunky tannins and freshness, it has tons of muscular fruit and a good, long and spicy finish.
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
91
–91
Pale ruby-purple in color, the 2013 Pinot Noir Giles has a beautifully perfumed nose of kirsch, crushed wild strawberries and violets with hints of lavender, cinnamon and roses. Medium-bodied and elegantly fruited in the mouth, it offers great red fruit intensity supported by fine-grained tannins and nice freshness, finishing long.
robert_parker
2015
Rating:
92
–92
Slightly closed, the tightly wound nose of Henschke's 2015 Julius Riesling gives up notes of lemon juice, peach blossoms, lime leaves and dill seed. Taut, youthful, crisp and fresh, this bone dry Riesling has a racy, minerally finish. This will need at least five more years of aging.
robert_parker
2016
Rating:
92
–92
The 2016 Julius Riesling leaps from the glass with beautiful lime blossom, lemon curd and white grapefruit notes with suggestions of jasmine, lanolin and hay. Light-bodied, pure, clean, refreshing and very dry, it has an almost electric intensity and very long, mineral-laced finish.
robert_parker
2017
Rating:
93
–93
Sourced from vines planted in the 1960s, the 2017 Julius Riesling features scents of lime blossoms and green apples. It's medium-bodied and seems soft and round upon first glance, with hints of peach leading a lovely integration of fruit and acidity. While already charming, it appears to have the backbone to support a decade or so of aging.
robert_parker
2010
Rating:
92
–92
Henschke’s 2010 Julius Riesling gives pronounced aromas of grapefruit, pineapple, lemongrass, orange blossom and dill seed. Light to medium-bodied, very crisp and dry, it is intensely citrusy in the mouth with a long steely finish. It’s relatively approachable now but should open further with another year in bottle and drink to 2020+.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2011
Rating:
92
–92
The 2011 Julius Riesling gives intense lime juice and crushed stones notes with some orange peel and pomelo at the core. Very crisp and dry on the light bodied palate, it offers a very good concentration of tight-knit, nervy fruit with a long minerally finish. It should drink best 2014 to 2021+.
During my visit to Henschke, I was treated to a mini vertical of the Green’s Hill Lenswood Riesling. A single vineyard wine, production is tiny though it can occasionally be seen in export markets and is well worth the hunt. Note that no 2007 Hill of Grace is reviewed here. Due to the tiny production of this vintage (only 8 hogsheads, owing to frost and drought), the release has been delayed and it wasn’t available yet for tasting.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2012
Rating:
91
–91
The 2012 Julius Riesling presents a vibrant nose of lemon zest, fresh lime juice and grapefruit with a subtle undercurrent of wet pebbles and steel. Light-bodied, it shows a great intensity of tight-knit citrus and mineral flavors, a racy acid line and a long finish. Drink it from 2014 to 2022+.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
92
–92
The 2013 Julius Riesling is delicately scented of fresh limes and lemon slices with underlying grapefruit peel, white pepper and coriander seed hints. Dry and light-bodied, there is a pleasantly savory yeastiness to the mid-palate before it finishes long, refreshing and yet nicely balanced. Drink it now to 2025+.
Imported by Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2004
Rating:
88
–88
The 2004 Riesling Julius exhibits a striking, light-bodied, green apple note along with notions of grapefruits and other assorted citrus. Fresh and austere, with a hint of minerality, it can be enjoyed over the next several years.
Importer: Negociants, USA, Napa CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2005
Rating:
90
–90
The brilliant 2005 Riesling Julius exhibits copious quantities of a pithy stone fruit character, apples, and underripe apricots as well as a crisp, steely finish. Enjoy it over the next year.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2006
Rating:
89
–89
The 2006 Riesling “Julius” is medium straw-colored with aromas of spring flowers, mineral, citrus, and lemon-lime. Nicely balanced by crisp acidity and ripe fruit flavors, it will drink well for 5-7 years.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; www.henschke.com.au
robert_parker
2007
Rating:
90
–90
The 2007 Julius Riesling is medium straw-colored with an enticing perfume of floral notes, citrus, and a hint of petrol. Medium-bodied, intense, and vibrant, this well-balanced Riesling should evolve for several years and drink well through 2017.
Henschke, one of Australia’s oldest and most renowned wineries continues to perform at a high level.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2008
Rating:
91
–91
Henschke’s 2008 Julius Riesling was sourced from vineyards ranging in age from 28-80 years. It displays an aromatic array of slate/mineral, spring flowers, lemon-lime, and melon. Dry, rich, and concentrated, this impeccably balanced Riesling is already exhibiting complex flavors and will continue to unfold for several more years. It will drink well through 2020.
Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2002
Rating:
89
–89
The crisp, steely, floral, grapefruit-scented and flavored, pithy, dry, medium-bodied 2002 Riesling Julius is finished with a screw cap. Enjoy this tasty white over the next year.
Importer: Negociants, USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
robert_parker
2003
Rating:
89
–89
The 2003 Riesling Julius is a crisp, tart effort displaying aromas of green apple skin and minerals in a light-bodied, elegant style. Enjoy it over the next year.
Importer: Negociants, USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993
