O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling 2026
- 96
- $30
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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Plenty of rainfall led into a fine and healthy vintage in the Clare Valley in 2026, though with the prospect of uncertain weather to come, the team picked Riesling a little earlier than they might normally do so. The style which comes from such a decision means a wine that might exhibit a little more finesse and elegance than usual. Which hardly sounds like a bad thing. A very pale lemon/green hue, there are wonderful aromatics here with notes of limes, jasmine, wet slate, citrus and river pebbles. Excellent focus and energy throughout, with great persistence on a long finish, there is a fine line of bright acidity. The wine is well balanced and showing impressive refinement. This is a cracking Riesling for enjoying over the next fifteen years.
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.
