We all know that Andrew Holt has mastered making Shiraz, but this Riesling shows that he knows how to tame the classic Eden Valley variety too. Thirty-five-year-old Riesling vines supply the fruit to this luscious and varietal wine. It has such concentrated minerality and Riesling varietal citrus fruit that it is a pleasure to drink now and also has the makings of a wine that will last well into its 20th year. - SG

Old vines produce intense and complex flavours and this wine is produced from vines nearing 130 years of age. They yield smaller amounts of fruit which are given the extra respect they deserve, resulting in wines that provide a truly memorable drinking experience. The 2007 release evolved constantly in the glass and the bottle over two days of tasting, becoming even more integrated and impressive on the second day.
Definitely one to lay down in the cellar and crack on a special occasion down the road. - JP

The first thing that strikes you about this wine is its vibrancy and power. I tasted this against the same vintage of one of Australia’s icon wines, and at this early stage of its life, The Centenarian is in for a good innings. Deep purple in the glass, full and rich, yet silky on the palate, carrying clean dark fruits, slight blackberries, the odd cherry. The nose is powerful, and sexy with its oozing, expensive French oak mingling gloriously with the richness of this seriously old vine fruit. The palate is strong with its medium to full weight, and silky tannins. A very long finish tops up what must be one of the most extraordinary top shelf wines to ever have been produced from Eden Valley fruit. Well worth the investment. - DD

Small wineries need to get creative with white wine pressings and it is no secret that pressings are always left out of the great Rieslings. I often wonder what happens to them. Do they end up in cleanskins? In the case of Poonawatta, there is so much love in growing grapes that not a drop can be wasted and with a talented winemaker, these parcels are fermented and fortified to create a dessert wine with extraordinary finesse. - SG