Riley Harrison is making some compelling low intervention wines from top sites in South Australia
Website: https://www.harrison.wine/
Riley Harrison studied winemaking in Adelaide, and ended up working for a big winery: Dorrien Estate. While he was there he wanted to keep his interest in wine – he’d done vintages abroad in California and Portugal – so he bought a ton of Grenache and began his own label, Harrison Wine.
Initially the project grew slowly, but now he sources top parcels of grapes from the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and McLaren Vale. He recently (late 2022) quit the day job and now this is his main focus. The wines are made in a low intervention style.
Harrison Wines Sol Blanc 2023 McLaren Vale, Australia
12.6% alcohol. This is a blend of Roussanne (2 d skin contact), Grenache Blanc (1 d skin contact) and Piquepoul. Textured, fine and fresh with lovely pear and apple fruit, showing good texture and nice depth. Very expressive. 93/100
Harrison Wines Piel Grenache Blanc 2023 Barossa, Australia
12.8% alcohol. This spends 8 days on skins, hence the name Piel. Lovely expressive fruit with nice pear and white peach. Good weight with a touch of melon, but finishes fresh and fine. 94/100
Harrison Wines Tinta I Blanca 2023 Barossa, Australia
12.8% alcohol. 75% Grenache Noir, 25% Grenache Blanc. Most of the red grapes here are direct pressed. Pale pink red in colour, this is textured, bright and lively with red cherry and raspberry fruit, as well as some ripe pear. Very fine and expressive with a tangy finish. 94/100
Harrison Wines Fleur de la Lune Grenache 2023 Barossa, Australia
13.6% alcohol. Sourced from two vineyards established in the 1940s and 1960s. Sweet, supple cherry and strawberry fruit with a hint of crunchy raspberry. Very pure fruit here with nice elegance and focus, finishing sleek. 93/100
Harrison Wines Vento do Mar Cabernet Franc 2023 Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, Australia
12.8% alcohol. This shows textured, ripe sweet cherries and plums, with nice weight. Appealing cherry and strawberry notes. Smooth and soft with nice definition, and a leafy edge. 93/100
Harrison Wines Black Hound Syrah 2022 Adelaide Hills, Australia
13.1% alcohol, from the Murdoch Hill vineyard. 60% whole bunch. Ripe but really well defined with a salty edge to the sweet raspberry and cherry fruit. Tangy with some olive notes. Very fine. 94/100
Harrison Wines Greg Grenache 2023 Blewitt Springs, Australia
14% alcohol. 95 year old vines. Nice intensity here with fresh but intense raspberry and cherry fruit, with nice grip. Taut but elegant with real finesse. Tangy and lively with lovely purity. 94/100
UK agent: LC Selections
