{"product_id":"oleary-walker-watervale-riesling-2025","title":"O'Leary Walker Watervale Riesling 2025","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"What a ripper - it's irresistible. The value for money here is exceptional.\"  Steve Leszczynski\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Purity plus. This beauty will still be looking good in 10-15 years.\"  Jeni Port\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Pretty classic stuff here. Nice one. Quietly complex.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"There’s a beautiful pure intensity here. Power and class.\"  Ray Jordan\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\"What a pretty thing this is! I always look forward to the O'Leary Walker Riesling releases and these 2025 newbies are superb. Run at this Watervale - it's irresistible. Elegant and pretty yet full of detail and poise, the fragrance seizes your attention instantly. Bath salts, white field flowers, citrus blossom and green apple lift effortlessly from the glass flowing onto the palate with an attractive mouth perfume. Limes, lemons, green apple cordial and a fine line of riverstone minerality course their way through with a detailed chalky and talc finish. The value for money here is exceptional, not to mention the mouth feel and that perfume that is etched into my memory. What a ripper from an exceptionally dry year.\"  Steve Leszczynski\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Watervale fruit is from the vineyard of Neil and Heather Grace, a\u003cspan\u003e dry grown vineyard (meaning it relies only on natural rainfall)\u003c\/span\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003cspan\u003ePale straw with green hues. Intense lemon, finger lime, wild fennel and delicate apple blossom. The palate is fleshy and fruit-driven, showing a harmonious blend of intense lime and citrus. Drink now or cellar for 15-20 years.\"  \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\"What a pretty thing this is! I always look forward to the O'Leary Walker Riesling releases and these 2025 newbies are superb. Run at this Watervale - it's irresistible. Elegant and pretty yet full of detail and poise, the fragrance seizes your attention instantly. Bath salts, white field flowers, citrus blossom and green apple lift effortlessly from the glass flowing onto the palate with an attractive mouth perfume. Limes, lemons, green apple cordial and a fine line of riverstone minerality course their way through with a detailed chalky and talc finish. The value for money here is exceptional, not to mention the mouth feel and that perfume that is etched into my memory. What a ripper from an exceptionally dry year.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Leszczynski, Qwine - 96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"If Polish Hill River represents the power of Clare Valley Riesling, Watervale represents the finesse, the purity. Nowhere is this better exhibited than in the 2025 vintage. While it was a challenging vintage, by all accounts, Riesling shone. It shows.  Bright, lime green hues. Classic Watervale scents, arrestingly aromatic and delicate in jasmine, wildflowers, bath salts, fresh lime and citrus skin and apple. An intensity of lime flavour lies at the wine’s core, a Watervale trait, in sync with florals. It’s a vibrant, alive palate with an easy textural flow in lime, green apple, pear skin, touch of rosemary, Thai basil and wet slate minerality. Finely textured with powdery fine acidity. Purity plus. This beauty will still be looking good in 10-15 years. Drink: 2025-2040.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eJeni Port, Wine Pilot - 96 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"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. Drink by 2035.\" \u003cstrong\u003e Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points and Special Value Wine  \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f9e00c;\"\u003e★\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"This was an outstanding season in the Clare Valley region of South Australia, and this wine shows both the seasonal virtues and the expertise of these guys in producing some of the best Riesling in the land. On the nose, it strikes immediately with a mix of lemon and lime and some crazy floral notes. The palate, while slightly fleshy and showing deep and powerfully presented fruit, is lifted by those lemon and lime citrusy characters and a fine chalky acidity. There’s still a degree of tension here as you would expect in a wine only a few months after bottling, yet the power and the class are evident from the start. There’s a beautiful pure intensity here, and it’s a wine that drinks so well now but will handle extended cellaring. Drink: 2025 - 2040.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eRay Jordan - 95 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\"Light bright yellow-green hue; there are lifted flowery aromas of classic ripe riesling, hints of lemon-pith, cream and fresh pastry. The wine seems just slightly off bone-dry, but in taste is simply fruity - deliciously so, balanced for immediate drinking pleasure although it will certainly age gracefully for several years. Drink 2025-2037.\"  \u003cstrong\u003eHuon Hooke, The Real Review - 93 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; color: #212b36;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca name=\"more\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecial Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f9e00c;\"\u003e★ \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #f9e00c;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\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":48283447132401,"sku":null,"price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/3098\/1873\/files\/O_Leary-Walker-Watervale-Riesling-2022_bf87d0d9-c162-4df1-a1f5-2aca96af05e2.jpg?v=1727925775","url":"https:\/\/canterburywines.au\/products\/oleary-walker-watervale-riesling-2025","provider":"Canterbury Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}