O’Leary Walker Polish Hill Armagh Shiraz 2020
- 95
- $35
- Drink by: 2022-2032
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Terrific Clare Valley Shiraz, from the two sub-regions of Armagh and also Polish Hill. The blend of the two – the former slightly warmer, the latter cooler – work wonderfully. The team look to include a percentage of whole bunches, natural yeasts and some extended post fermentation time on skins, before a lengthy period of maturation in French oak, some new. Deeply coloured, we have aromas of chocolate, warm earth tones, black fruits, licorice and cold tea. There is balance, concentration and superb length, which maintains the intensity throughout. A nice combination of concentration and elegance plus bright acidity and ever-so-fine tannins. This will impress for at least a decade – really good 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.
