{"product_id":"oleary-walker-polish-hill-river-riesling-2025","title":"O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling 2025","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Complex and superbly presented. One of the finest yet under this label.\"  Ray Jordan\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"A stunning Riesling which will easily provide pleasure for the next twenty years.\"  Ken Gargett\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Concentrated, elegant, with power to burn.\"  Jeni Port\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Taut, concentrated and expressive. Dangerously silky.\"  Steve Leszczynski\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"This puts on a powerhouse display. Like this a lot.\"  Campbell Mattinson\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"A delicate wine with tension and refinement, and long ageing potential.\"  Huon Hooke\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2000, with over 35 years of experience making wine with some of Australia's biggest wine companies, long-time friends David O'Leary and Nick Walker established O'Leary Walker Wines. Not surprisingly, it didn't take long for them to establish a formidable reputation, particularly for their superb Polish Hill River and Watervale Rieslings and a range of classic Clare Valley Shiraz.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Coming from vines planted back in the 1970s, the OLW Polish Hill River Riesling tends to be the formal, and perhaps slightly austere of the pair. Always elegant, it offers even greater ageing potential. The colour is a near invisible shadow of yellow, as pale as one could imagine. A powerful style with a minerally backing, there are notes of citrus, grapefruit pith, a touch of river stones and oystershells, lemon curd, spices and florals. A steely line of acidity runs the length. The wine has focus and energy and a very long future. A stunning Riesling which will easily provide pleasure for the next twenty years.\"  Ken Gargett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Polish Hill fruit is from the Molloy and Martin and Joan Smith vineyards, which are virtually next to each other in Polish Hill River. 2010 marked the first year of NASAA Organic Certification for these vineyards, although the vines have been farmed organically since their planting in the 1970s. The soils are grey loam over sandstone and slate, and it is the slate of Polish Hill River, as opposed to the limestone of Watervale, that gives rise to the point of difference between the two styles. Much of the topsoil is littered with rock and the vines need to be extremely tough to sustain growth and produce high quality fruit. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Vibrant hue with a subtle green glint. Floral bath powder bouquet, with hints of musk stick and orange blossom. Punchy upfront fruit, with balanced acidity and notes of fresh grape, wet slate, subtle citrus, and musk. Drink now or cellar for 15-20 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"  \u003cstrong\u003eO'Leary Walker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExpert reviews\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"This exceptional wine from an exceptional vintage shows a clear distinction between it and the Watervale version from the same year. This one sort of moves into more floral bath salts characters while retaining that perfume floral note that is typical of the region. There’s a wet, pebbly, crunchy feel here with the citrus notes evident throughout. There’s even a little of that musk lolly character that we might have had as kids, but is subtle and understated. This is complex and superbly presented. One of the finest yet under this label. Drink: 2025-2045.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eRay Jordan, Wine Pilot - 96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"Coming from vines planted back in the 1970s, the OLW Polish Hill River Riesling tends to be the formal, and perhaps slightly austere of the pair. Always elegant, it offers even greater ageing potential. The colour is a near invisible shadow of yellow, as pale as one could imagine. A powerful style with a minerally backing, there are notes of citrus, grapefruit pith, a touch of river stones and oystershells, lemon curd, spices and florals. A steely line of acidity runs the length. The wine has focus and energy and a very long future. A stunning Riesling which will easily provide pleasure for the next twenty years. Drink 2025–2045.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eKen Gargett, Wine Pilot - 96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"Concentrated, elegant, with power to burn. Polish Hill River brings its A Game to a year that brought its challenges and brushes them aside in a display of quiet assurance. Fruit is fresh and nicely elevated in Polish Hill River spice. Stewed spiced apple, ruby grapefruit, pear skin, papaya, white pepper and a stony mineral edginess on the palate holds the promise of budding complexity. It’s early days but the beginnings are there, together with textural appeal that is still developing. Acidity is super charged and bright finishing with a green apple tartness to close. It’s a big lasting finish and impression for a wine that so excites from first to last. Drink 2025–2042.\" \u003cstrong\u003e Jeni Port, Wine Pilot – 95 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"Taut, concentrated and expressive, this O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling continues to fly the flag as an excellent expression of the variety. The trademark slatey and minerally drive that these Polish Hill River Rieslings take centre stage, but there is a lifted prettiness I'm savouring. Sourced from an organically farmed vineyard, green apples and lime juice are right at home as citrus flowers chime and bath salts add fragrance. A lively grapefruit thread runs the length of the palate underpinned by a fine talc-like texture. Dangerously silky, it seizes up on close and that tension demonstrates its age-ability. The kind of tonic for a long, rough week, one or two glasses at wine o'clock will make the pressures of the world feel lighter.\" \u003cstrong\u003e Steve Leszczynski, Qwine - 95 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"This puts on a powerhouse display. Rocks, limes, hay, plenty of texture, some grip, a keen juiciness through the finish, lots of goodness. Whispers of fennel and more-than-whispers of wet slate in the aftertaste. Dry in a good way. Like this a lot. Drink: 2025-2031.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eCampbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 94 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"Very light green-ish yellow hue; the aromas are fresh and youthful, restrained and pristine, with lemon pith, lime leaf and steely mineral overtones. Juicy in the middle then crisp and refreshingly clean on the finish. A delicate wine with tension and refinement, and long ageing potential. Drink 2026-2038.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke, The Real Review - 93 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe vineyards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"O'Leary Walker Clare Valley Vineyard\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/3098\/1873\/files\/O_LearyWalkerClareValleyVineyard_1024x1024.png?v=1683258896\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClare Valley Vineyards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Clare Valley has a world-renowned reputation for producing elegant Rieslings. We source our fruit from two sub-regions within the Clare Valley, Watervale and the Polish Hill River Valley. The Watervale fruit is from the vineyard of Neil and Heather Grace, which is hand pruned and hand picked. With its classic red loam over limestone soil, the vines have a source of moisture from the limestone to ensure their health through the summer months.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Polish Hill Valley fruit is from two vineyards which are virtually next-door to each other. Martin and Joan Smith's vineyard is now farmed biodynamically and across the Road is the Molloy's vineyard both of which are excellent examples of the quality this sub-region can produce. The soils are characterized by grey loam over sandstone and slate. The topsoils are littered with rock and shales of slate. The vines are tough to survive in these harsh soils but their fruit bears the characteristics of elegance, finesse and intensity, always with a hint of beautiful chalky bath powder!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite only being 9 kilometers from the Watervale sub-region, The Polish Hill River region is quite a bit cooler and typically the fruit ripens 2-3 weeks later. It is the slate of the Polish Hill River as distinct from the limestone of Watervale that creates the differences between the wines.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMcLaren Vale Vineyard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eWe source Shiraz from a 50 plus year old vineyard called “Shadels” at McLaren Vale, owned by Angelo Maglieri and his Family. Angelo and Nick Walker go way back to the early eighties when Nick was a young winemaker at Krondorf, purchasing fruit from these classic vineyards. This relationship has been almost continuous for 30 years! When we first started O'Leary Walker Wines, we needed excellent fruit not just “run of the mill” quality. This vineyard had just come out of contract with Penfolds and was offered to us via our good relationship with Angelo. The soils are shallow loam over ironstone, quite rocky sub soils, well drained and tough. This vineyard has been incorporated in our blend since day one and has the great licorice, chocolate power that is the hallmark of McLaren Vale Shiraz, enhancing the inky, “building block” wines of the Clare Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdelaide Hills Vineyards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eFruit for our Adelaide Hills Wines is sourced from David and Sue Cherry's (nee O'Leary) Adelaide Hills vineyard and from the adjoining vineyard of Mark and Louise O'Leary, which is the original “Wyebo” property that was purchased by David's Grandfather in 1912. This site was planted in 1990 and selected on the basis of its soil structure, which has large quartz and slate running throughout the sub soils. With a gently sloping, North Easterly aspect, enhanced by elevation, ancient soils and weather patterns, characteristic influences from the Mt Lofty Ranges, this vineyard is a valuable asset to the winemaking at O'Leary Walker.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Adelaide Hills with its cool climate and long, dry and even ripening season allows the vines to develop maximum varietal characters, producing intensely flavoursome fruit. The Adelaide Hills produces some of Australia's most elegant Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the winery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/3098\/1873\/files\/O_LearyWalkerWines_1024x1024.png?v=1676057488\" alt=\"O'Leary Walker Wines\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #808080;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNick Walker and David O'Leary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to establishing O'Leary Walker Wines in 2000, long-time friends David O'Leary and Nick Walker spent twenty-plus vintages working for some of Australia's biggest winemaking companies such as Hardy's and Mildara Blass, and were involved in labels like Annies Lane, Chateau Reynella, Mildara, Krondorf and Yellowglen. The larger companies provided fantastic learning environments and they were privileged to have worked with some of the industry's greats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pair established O'Leary Walker Wines with the aim of producing small batches of carefully handcrafted wine from some of the best vineyard sites in South Australia. Initially their principal focus was on the Clare Valley and, not surprisingly, it didn't take long for them to establish a formidable reputation, particularly for their superb Polish Hill River and Watervale Rieslings and a range of classic Clare Valley Shiraz. Thereafter their attention swung to the Adelaide Hills where they now have 35ha of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, shiraz, sauvignon blanc and merlot. The vineyards were certified organic in 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDavid O'Leary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid began his career in 1977 with the Stanley Wine Company in the Clare Valley, doing a vintage as a lab assistant under Brian Barry. It was during this time that David was introduced to Clare Valley Rieslings, sparking a lifelong passion to achieve greatness with this variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid then spent a year with Petaluma and completed a vintage in Tasmania working for Heemskerk Wines before joining Chateau Reynella in 1981. This same year, he also graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College. In September 1982, Thomas Hardy and Sons purchased Chateau Reynella and David was charged with managing juice separation in Padthaway, initiating the exhausting trend of two vintages a year between Waikerie and Padthaway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid was appointed group red winemaker for Hardy's in 1990 and held that role until joining Mildara Blass in 1994. At Mildara Blass, he held senior winemaking roles at Quelltaller Estate in the Clare Valley where he launched Annie's Lane, and at the Mildara Coonawarra-based Jamieson's Run winery. During his time with Hardy's and Mildara Blass, he also made wine in France and California, furthering his knowledge of the great wines and signature styles of the regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid has achieved considerable milestones in his career; a Jimmy Watson Trophy in 1988 and twice International Red Winemaker of the Year (1992 and 1994) sit proudly along with numerous other trophies and gold medals on his mantle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid's goals remain unchanged: he simply wants to make great wine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNick Walker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNick graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1982 and then followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather to become a third generation winemaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNick's father Norm Walker was Managing Director at Seaview Champagne Cellars for over 22 years. Norm, along with his father Hurtle, has given over 100 years to the winemaking industry, in particular sparkling wine. Nick Walker and David O'Leary honour this family winemaking tradition by naming the O'Leary Walker Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay the 'Hurtle', in recognition of Nick's grandfather and father's achievements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1983 Nick joined the Burge and Wilson team at Krondorf Wines as an assistant winemaker. During this time, he was instrumental in making some of the great Eden Valley Rieslings of the time and had enormous success on the show circuit with his wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNick undertook sparkling winemaking duties in 1998-1999 at Yellowglen and was winemaker and manager at Yarra Ridge in 2000. Overall, he spent over 14 years with the Mildara Blass group, responsible for brands including Krondorf, Yellowglen Sparkling wines, Yarra Ridge, Baileys and St Huberts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn November 1999, Nick joined forces with good friend David O'Leary to create O'Leary Walker Wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis philosophy is pretty simple: make the best wines possible from the best vineyard sites - and leave a little time for fishing.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Canterbury Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48282482901233,"sku":null,"price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/3098\/1873\/files\/O_Leary-Walker-Polish-Hill-Riesling-2022_369b52b9-5770-4f6d-8edb-32cc4c7ed1ea.jpg?v=1727925877","url":"https:\/\/canterburywines.au\/products\/oleary-walker-polish-hill-river-riesling-2025","provider":"Canterbury Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}