Who makes it?
Loosen Barry Slate Hill is one the wines available from the collaboration between the team at Jim Barry wines and Ernst Loosen. Jim Barry winery is a family winery in Australia’s Clare Valley. Ernst Loosen is one of Germany’s eminent winemakers. Of course, the connection is Riesling.
Not just Riesling though, but some of the best Rieslings in the world.
So, it is no wonder that this team up works so well. It is not the only collaborative wine range that that Loosen does. He also has a joint wine brand with the winemaker from Chateau Ste Michelle, Katie Nelson, Eroica. A Washington Riesling range with a German accent.
To read more about this collaboration between Jim Barry Wines and Loosen, please click here to read: When the Clare and the Mosel meet... The Loosen Barry Story.
This is a little different though. With the Loosen Barry range, the wines are made in the style each partner has become beloved for. Meaning the Slate Hill has been made using the techniques that Loosen uses for some of his wines in the Mosel region of Germany.
This is also not the first innovative white wine the Barry family produce. The family also introduced Assyrtiko to Australian vineyards... and a fine addition it makes too.
Please click here to read a review for Jim Barry Assyrtiko. Please click here to see the review of the Loosen Barry Wolta Wolta Riesling too.
How do they make it?
The grapes for the Slate Hill come from the Spring Farm vineyard in the Clare Valley. The Spring Farm vineyards were planted in 1977. They are higher altitude vineyards with not only plantings of Riesling, but also Shiraz, Cabernet and Malbec. Some of Spring Farm Rieslings are cellar releases. Such as the Spring Farm Block 144 Riesling with 10+ years cellar before release.
The altitude and aspect of these vineyards give a cooler climate appeal. This keeps the wines natural acid levels fresh and crisp. To maintain the fruit purity the team ferments the wines in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. Where the magic comes in, is that this Riesling is then maintained at tank (chilled) for two years on lees. To focus on the preservative nature of the lees rather than giving overt lees character and creaminess, there is no lees stirring.
This is not a bone dry Clare Valley Riesling. It has a residual sugar level of around 6 grams per litre to ensure balance. The alcohol sits around 11.5% alcohol.
What does it taste like?
This is a drier style of Clare Valley Riesling that is impeccably balanced. Aromatically, the wine is floral with some lemon verbena, stone fruit and lime zest notes. There is a minerally lilt as well. This is a fuller body wine with sherberty acid. Under lining that sherberty acid is a silky texture proving that this is indeed a contemplative wine. The flavours last for a long, long moment.
What to drink it with?
Loosen Barry Slate Hill Riesling is a great match with fish and seafood dishes. Alternatively, a light pork or chicken dish as well.
Cheese
Enjoy Slate Hill Riesling with bloomy cheeses and fresh cheeses.
Quickie review « This is another great wine from Jim Barry, the Riesling hits just keep coming from this family. »
Country of Origin: Clare Valley, Australia
Tasting Date: January 2026
Price: UK £25 | AU$ 40
Drink: now – 15+ years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting
If you like Australian Riesling wines, why not check out:
Loosen Barry Wolta Wolta Riesling
Sons of Eden Freya Riesling
Henschke Julius Riesling
To read more about this collaboration between Jim Barry Wines and Loosen, please click here to read: When the Clare and the Mosel meet... The Loosen Barry Story.
Visit jimbarry for more.
This was also published on winemusing.substack.
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