2021 Clare Valley Shiraz

Up to 15 years.

This Shiraz is made using fruit from two of our vineyards - both the cooler region of Polish Hill River and the warmer Armagh, north of Clare.

Derived from two of Clare Valley’s premium sub-regions – Armagh and Polish Hill River. Each batch is fermented separately in two and four tonne fermenters over a 12 day period and hand-plunged. The wine is left on skins post-fermentation, enhancing tannin complexity and maximising flavour. This is pressed to tank, then racked to oak (25% new French oak, 75% one and two year old French oak) for a total of two years. The wines are then carefully blended for bottling.

Alcohol - 14.5%

pH - 3.40

Acidity - 6.8g/L

Gold (96 Points) & Best Shiraz In Show - London Wine Competition

"Very pronounced floral and herbal aromas on the nose. Good concentration of black fruit, plum, dark chocolate, blueberry, floral notes with good finish."

96 Points - Winepilot

"The vinous equivalent of yin and yang, with two noteworthy Clare Valley sub-regions singing in total harmony. Polish Hill River is spicy and fine, while Armagh brings the brio and power. It makes for a dynamic duo. Bright, deep purple in colour. Violet, acacia, briar, wild bramble, blackberry and blackstrap liquorice aromas delight, so inviting in their deep mix of fruit, spice, florals and earth. Brings that upfront spice, liquorice and black fruit intensity and energy associated with top Clare Valley Shiraz and then, without skipping a beat, maintains the momentum seamlessly through to a long, long finish. Oak and tannins are totally integrated. It’s in for a long life should you resist the temptation to drink now. There is an effortless quality here, the sign of a good year and some mighty good winemaking. Outstanding." - Jeni Port

96 Points - Winepilot

"This superb Clare Valley Shiraz, which has been racking up the bling as they say in the classics, was sourced from two of the region’s top sub-regions, Armagh and Polish Hill River, with each parcel fermented discretely. Maturation was for two years in French oak, a quarter of it new. Helps to come from such a stellar vintage. Gosh, this is an impressive wine. It drinks more impressively than many wines two or three times the price and will surely be in any conversation for best value wine of the year. Deep maroon hue, this offers such a seductively appealing nose. There is early complexity already evident. Aromas of dried herbs, chocolate, cloves, aniseed, soy, coffee beans, blueberries and black fruits. The oak is immaculately integrated and the wine is seamless, supple and with such silky tannins. This will help redefine the Clare Valley as one of the great regions for Aussie Shiraz. Impeccably balanced, a fine line of acidity, bright energy, very impressive length, this wine has everything. Wonderful stuff. Ten to fifteen years ahead of it. I see suggestions that one should attempt to refrain from drinking it now. Good luck with that. Love it." - Ken Gargett 

94 Points - Qwine Reviews

"I could neck the lot. Such a fabulously approachable and well priced wine, this O'Leary Walker Clare Valley Shiraz is dense, silky and engulfed with black fruit. From the Polish Hill River and Armagh sub-regions of the Clare Valley, it sees 18 months in oak with the char and toast showing its hand. Plums add value with blackberry leaf, licorice, black earth and dark chocolate. Drying out ever so subtly on close with a dusting of cocoa the parting gift, it drinks very well and will live comfortably beyond the medium term." - Steve Leszczynski

91 Points - Halliday Wine Companion

"Full colour; matured for 18 months in French hogsheads – probably all used. Medium-bodied and easy to enjoy with its stewed plum and blackberry fruit flavours, the texture open-weaved." - James Halliday