Dukes Single Vineyard Riesling 2025

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Bright, pale straw with youthful clarity.
• Aromatics: Fresh Fuji apple and citrus are joined by creamy lemon and a delicate suggestion of anise.
• Palate: Generous and plush, with juicy apple and lemon flavours supported by lively acidity.
• Texture: Smooth and lightly creamy through the middle of the palate, while remaining fresh and controlled.
• Structure: A firm mineral line provides focus and prevents the generous fruit from becoming overly rich.
• Finish: Long, clean and graceful, with lingering citrus, apple and subtle savoury spice.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2025
• Variety: Riesling
• Region: Porongurup, Great Southern, Western Australia
• Producer: Duke’s Vineyard
• Vineyard: Duke’s Vineyard estate
• Fruit source: Younger estate Riesling block
• Style: Dry, aromatic and mineral-driven
• Key flavours: Fuji apple, lemon gelato and anise
• Serving temperature: Approximately 8 to 10°C
• Decanting: Not required
• Cellaring: Enjoy now or cellar over the medium term

The 2025 Release

The 2025 growing season produced a Riesling with a combination of generous fruit, graceful structure and clearly defined mineral character. Fruit from the estate’s younger Riesling block provides bright apple and citrus flavours, while the wine’s natural acidity creates freshness and direction. A gently plush texture gives the palate more generosity than an extremely lean or austere Riesling. The result is an expressive young wine that remains balanced, refreshing and unmistakably connected to its Porongurup origins.

The Duke’s Vineyard Site

Duke’s Vineyard is situated at the western foot of the ancient Porongurup Range in Western Australia’s Great Southern wine region. The ten-hectare estate was originally planted in 1999 and is now devoted principally to Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Its position provides excellent natural drainage, reliable water from a spring-fed dam and the moderating influence of the surrounding landscape. The Porongurup Range shelters vineyards from strong winds, while the nearby Southern Ocean helps moderate temperatures. Warm days and cool nights allow Riesling to ripen slowly while retaining its natural acidity and aromatic intensity.

Serving and Cellaring

• Serve Duke’s Vineyard Single Vineyard Riesling 2025 at approximately 8 to 10°C.
• If it has been stored in a very cold refrigerator, allow the bottle to stand outside the fridge for five to ten minutes before serving. An extremely cold serving temperature can temporarily hide its apple, citrus and anise aromatics.
• Decanting is not required. Opening the bottle a few minutes before serving will give the aromas sufficient time to emerge.
• The wine is intended to be approachable while young. Medium-term cellaring should allow its fresh apple and citrus characters to become softer and more complex.
• Store bottles somewhere cool, dark and temperature stable.

Food Pairing 

• Fresh oysters: The wine’s citrus and mineral character complements the oysters’ natural salinity.
• Grilled or pan-fried fish: Try it with whiting, snapper, barramundi or lightly grilled salmon.
• Scallop ceviche: Lime, fresh herbs and delicate seafood mirror the Riesling’s bright citrus flavours.
• Tempura seafood: Refreshing acidity cuts through the light batter while the plush fruit balances savoury flavours.
• Thai salads: Green mango, fresh herbs, lime and mild chilli work beautifully with aromatic Riesling.
• Pork and apple: The Fuji apple character makes this a natural partner for roast pork or pork belly served with apple.
• Fresh cheeses: Fromage blanc, goat cheese and other soft cheeses suit the wine’s citrus and creamy lemon notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Duke’s Vineyard Single Vineyard Riesling 2025 dry?

Yes. It is made in a fresh, dry Riesling style. The description “lemon gelato” refers to the wine’s creamy citrus flavour and plush texture. It does not mean the wine tastes like a sweet dessert wine.

What does mineral mean when describing Riesling?

Mineral is used to describe a firm, clean sensation that can resemble wet stone, chalk or crushed rock. Wine does not literally taste like granite. The term describes the wine’s texture, acidity and savoury character rather than a specific flavour taken directly from the soil.

What does a mineral backbone mean?

A mineral backbone means the wine has a firm line of acidity and savoury structure running through the palate. In plain English, it keeps the generous fruit focused and prevents the wine from feeling soft or overly rich.

What is the difference between this wine and Duke’s Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling?

The Single Vineyard Riesling is made as an accessible estate wine to enjoy while fresh and young. Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling is Duke’s flagship expression, produced as a more concentrated and age-worthy wine. They are separate releases at different levels within the Duke’s Vineyard range.