97 Points - Ray Jordan | RRP $35
The partnership of David O'Leary and Nick Walker, O'Leary Walker Wines has been creating small batch, hand-crafted wines for several decades. With a philosophy of sourcing the best fruit from the best vineyard sites, O'Leary Walker consistently produce some of the finest examples of the Clare Valley's hero varietals.
O'Leary Walker's Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from grapes grown on two premium vineyards in the Clare Valley; the organically certified, low-yielding 'Doctor's Block' in Polish Hill River, along with the legendary 50-year-old dry grown Armagh vineyard.
The 2023 O'Leary Walker Cabernet Sauvignon is a superb example of the lofty heights Clare Valley Cabernet can reach when done well. Opening with lifted aromas of blackcurrant, cherry and violets, the palate is concentrated with rich fruit notes and hints of satsuma plum and charred oak, adding a savoury edge to the rich fruit profile. The tannins are finely textured helping deliver a silky, polished mouthfeel on the exceptionally long finish. A Cabernet Sauvignon of undoubted class with a long life ahead of it, this offers exceptional value for money at this discounted price.
"97 Points. Sourced from the sub-regions of Polish Hill River and Armagh. Aromas scream Cabernet: blackberry, blackcurrant, a little leaf, and syrupy dark chocolate. The palate is deeply concentrated, supported by chalky tannins and plenty of oak, yet perfectly balanced. Drives through to an extended finish. Tremendous cellaring potential yet delicious already. $35. Drink: 2025 - 2045"- Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot.
"95 Points. Very deep, saturated purple colour with aromas of red and dark fruits -raspberry, redcurrant, cranberry... Very intense, full-bodied flavour with concentration and focus, the balance is impeccable and persistence is very long. The fruit flavours are deep-seated and the tannins are abundant, fine-grained and well matched to the body of the wine. Impressive wine with a huge future."- Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
