O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling 2025
G 95
Concentrated, elegant, with power to burn. Polish Hill River brings its A game to a year that brought its challenges and brushes them aside in a display of quiet assurance. Fruit is fresh and nicely elevated in Polish Hill River spice. Stewed spiced apple, ruby grapefruit, pear skin, papaya, white pepper and a stony mineral edginess on the palate holds the promise of budding complexity. It’s early days, but the beginnings are there, together with textural appeal that is still developing. Acidity is super charged and bright finishing with a green apple tartness to close. It’s a big lasting finish and impression for a wine that so excites from first to last. Drink now–2042 O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River/Armagh Shiraz 2023 G 95 Another top expression of Clare Valley Shiraz from these experienced winemakers, one that embraces both restrained power and elegance. Deep in colour, elevated in spicy, floral aromatic scent and dark fruits, it joins the palate, expanding the flavour dial considerably. Briar and earth meet blackberry, cassis, black cherry, warm toasty mocha oak, anise, sage and bay leaf. Eighteen months’ maturation in French hogsheads imparts fine tannins and an added depth of flavour. Drink now–2033 Pauletts Polish Hill River Shiraz 2023 G 95 A stylish, elegant Shiraz from a sub-region noted for its ancient, mineral-rich soils which brings a natural, seamless quality to Shiraz. Unforced and relayed in blackberry, blueberry and plum, dark spices, chocolate, earth, delivered across smooth tannins with an underlying power and concentration. Drink now–2033 Pauletts 109 Reserve Shiraz 2021 G 95 Neil Paulett was the 109th winemaker to graduate from Roseworthy College in 1972; this label is for him. A barrel selection, it’s built for extended ageing. Mapped out in ripe, robust tannins carrying plum, black and dark cherry fruit, blackstrap liquorice, earthy notes and dark-spiced mocha oak. Combines a boldness with a well-spiced liveliness that is most attractive, especially when it lifts aromatically to
finish. Drink now–2038 Pauletts 109 Reserve Riesling 2024
G 95
Aromas float on a bed of spring flowers, honeysuckle, citrus and white pepper. Intense and vivacious, it has energy to burn with a palate that jumps in mineral spark with lemon sorbet, grapefruit pith, apple, fine peppery spice and hints of rosemary. A long, crisp, driving finish. Drink now–2037
190
The Vintage Journal
Powered by FlippingBook