O’Leary Walker Clare Valley Polish Hill River Armagh Shiraz 2023
- 95
- $40
- Drink by: 2026-2041
Share
Sourced from the Clare Valley sub-regions of Polish Hill River and Armagh, the batches are fermented separately with maturation for a year and a half in French oak, 20% of it new. An opaque maroon colour, the wine has a most evocative nose with notes of dried herbs, dark berries, plums, black cherries, kirsch and aniseed. Early complexity is evident. This is a wine of balance, finesse and yet power, quite a complete style. The satiny texture continues right through to a long and lingering finish with silky tannins. It will drink impressively for at least the next fifteen years. Great value.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
