95 Points - Mike Bennie | 95 Points - Ken Gargett O'Leary Walker's Watervale Riesling is made from a vineyard sitting on classic Watervale soils; red loam over limestone with a westerly aspect. A dry-grown vineyard - meaning it relies only on natural rainfall, the vines are hand-pruned and grapes picked by hand. The limestone of this site allows the soil to retain moisture, which assists the vine throughout periods of warm weather, almost drought-proofing in the summer months. A product of another fantastic vintage, the 2025 O'Leary Walker Watervale Riesling delivers a quintessential Clare Valley Riesling brimming with lime and lemon notes with subtle undertones of wild fennel spice and an electric acid line. A Riesling of incredible purity and balance, this will again prove hugely popular with the many fans of this wine. "95 Points. Pretty classic stuff here, albeit you'd say this release is quite concentrated and potent in its fruit characteristics. Lemon-lime, sweet and tart at the same time, green apple, distinct blackcurrant notes, a little lemon oil and dashes of mandarin marmalade. Lots of talc here, too - powdery, lavender-like, and with a little bit of grip in texture. Nice one. Quietly complex. This should be singing with another year and onwards - and do wait if you can. $27. 11% alc. Drink: 2025 - 2035. Screwcap"- Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion. "95 Points. Yet another superb Watervale Riesling from a pair of specialists (they are pretty good at other wines, as well). Treatment is largely traditional. The colour is a very pale lemon. This is beautifully fragrant with notes of limes, spices, lemons, white jasmine, grapefruit and a touch of river stones. A veritable citrus smorgasbord. Fresh and aromatic with a line of fine acidity, there is exceptional length in this immaculately balanced effort plus focus and finesse. Expect it to provide superb drinking for at least the next fifteen years. $27. Drink: 2025 - 2040"- Ken Gargett, Winepilot.com.
