Risky Business Luxe Riesling 2025

Awards 

93 Points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

Ken Gargett describes this as a small-batch Mount Barker Riesling that is well worth seeking out, with lavender, talc, citrus, florals and musk. He notes the soft texture, balance, touch of sweetness and excellent length, and suggests it will drink well over the next 8 to 10 years.

The Telegraph

Described as an aromatic and juicy off-dry Riesling with mandarin, lime leaf, Meyer lemon, blood orange, lime zest and white peach. The review highlights how the touch of sweetness gives the wine juiciness without making it taste overly sweet.

Tasting Notes 

Colour: Pale lemon with green hues.

Aromatics: Zesty lime and honeysuckle, with citrus blossom, mandarin, musk, florals and a delicate talc-like lift.

Palate: Mouth-filling and juicy, with lemon, lime, mandarin and citrus blossom. A touch of sweetness adds flavour and roundness, while bright acidity keeps the wine balanced and refreshing.

Finish: Long, clean and vibrant, finishing dry in feel with lingering citrus, lime zest and floral notes.

About the Wine

Risky Business Luxe Riesling 2025 comes from a single vineyard in Mount Barker, one of Western Australia’s great homes for Riesling. The cooler 2025 conditions suited delicate white varieties beautifully, helping retain freshness, fragrance and natural acidity.

The style is just off-dry, meaning there is a small amount of sweetness left in the wine. Rather than making it taste sugary, this sweetness fills out the palate and makes the wine incredibly food-friendly, especially with spice, chilli and savoury Asian dishes.

With only 133 dozen produced, this is a limited release that offers something a little different from the usual dry Riesling style.

Wine Details

Producer: Risky Business
Wine: Luxe Riesling
Vintage: 2025
Region: Mount Barker, Great Southern, Western Australia
Vineyard: Single vineyard, Langton
Style: Off-dry Riesling
Production: 133 dozen
Alcohol: 11%
pH: 3.09
TA: 6.8
G + F: 22.4 g/L
Bottled: June 2025

Serving and Cellaring 

Serve: 7 to 9°C

Serve well chilled. This is the kind of Riesling that is at its best when the citrus, acidity and gentle sweetness feel bright and refreshing.

Decant: Not needed.

Cellaring: Delicious now for its lime, floral aromatics and juicy off-dry palate. Ken Gargett suggests it will drink well over the next 8 to 10 years, developing more honeyed and spicy complexity over time.

Food Pairing Suggestions 

• Thai green curry with chicken or prawns
• Vietnamese rice paper rolls with chilli dipping sauce
• Rice noodles with chilli, lime and herbs
• Sweet and sour pork or chicken
• Spicy fried chicken
• Korean barbecue
• Fresh prawns with lime
• Washed-rind cheese or creamy blue cheese

FAQ 🧐

Is Risky Business Luxe Riesling 2025 sweet?
It is just off-dry, meaning it has a touch of sweetness, but bright acidity keeps it fresh and balanced. It does not taste like a dessert wine.

What does off-dry Riesling mean?
Off-dry Riesling has some natural grape sweetness left in the wine. This gives the palate more juiciness and makes it especially good with spicy food.

What does it taste like?
Expect lime, lemon, mandarin, honeysuckle, citrus blossom, musk and white peach, with bright acidity and a long refreshing finish.

Is this good with spicy food?
Yes. This is one of the best styles for chilli, Thai, Vietnamese and sweet-and-sour dishes because the slight sweetness softens spice while the acidity keeps the wine refreshing.

Can I cellar it?
Yes. It is drinking beautifully now, but the acidity and balance give it excellent potential over the next 8 to 10 years.