96 Points - "From a pair of Clare Riesling masters, comes a masterful pair of Clare Rieslings. This Watervale Riesling is simply superb. A very pale yellow, we have notes of grapefruits, talc, spices and florals with a minerally background. A wine of finesse, bright acidity, balance and great length. A scintillating Riesling with focus, this will be a joy any time over the next twelve to fifteen years. Early reports suggest that 2024 will be a thrilling vintage, as good – in its own way – as ‘21 and ‘22. A cracking Clare Riesling and what value it is." - Ken Gargett (Winepilot)

95 Points - "So fine, so silky, so effortless in delivery with aromatics that define what Watervale Riesling is all about. Watervale can be perceived as quiet. It is, in fact, beautifully subtle, detailed in style. Aromas of lime, lemongrass, kaffir lime with just a touch of ginger nicely define the sub-regional – and regional – style. The palate boasts a long line of flavour, super intense in lime, with herbals, fennel and ginger. Texturally, it’s supple. Acidity-wise, it is lemony bright and the mainstay of the wine, but don’t read into this that it is hard-edged. It’s not. Great length makes the flavour last. This is a fully formed young Riesling, ready to fly." - Jeni Port (Winepilot)

95 Points - "Always the prettier of the two O'Leary Walker Rieslings I find, this 2024 Watervale hits a home run once again. It's simply a high-quality glass of happiness. Pretty and zesty, this is a most enjoyable release. Pretty white field flowers and bath salts always feature and this 2024 is no different. Lemon juice, lime leaf and lime zest, there is a fine ribbon of quartz minerality tucked in behind. It leaves a vibrant trail highlighted by a sherbety tang. Devine. Beautiful drinking. Drink this while it's fresh on those hot summer days." - Steve Leszczynski (QWine Reviews)

93 Points - "Lemons, limes, wet slate and red apples. It’s pretty classic and it’s pretty good. Intensity of flavour is upper middle, so to speak, and the finish is well sustained, with a touch of tonic water there. There’s a ripe feel to the fruit even though it’s measured and cool. There’s excellent drinking to be had here." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

93 points - "There's an approachability to this wine, a juiciness and freshness that says early appeal. Loaded with lime-lemon of the Splice ice cream kind with green apple, a touch of ginger and a splash of pink grapefruit wriggling through. Energetic, super delicious, just enough tension to make it feel fancy and a puff of talc-like minerality in there, too. The drinkability is off the charts. Sure, not overly complex or detailed, but this is an absolute ripper of a drink." - Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)

92 Points - "Pale, bright and really youthful in the glass. Lifted aromas of bath salts, wet stone, lemon pith, talc and white flowers. Punchy, crunchy and tangy in flavour. There’s a pure drive of citrus and pithy acidity and there’s a lovely line and length." - Aaron Brasher (The Real Review)

The 2024 Watervale Riesling, harvested a few weeks earlier, exhibits a stunning pale straw colour with a slight green tinge. The nose is vibrant with Kaffir lime citrus and delicate bath powder, leading to a palate that is fine, powerful, and exquisitely balanced—truly a Riesling for purists.

VINEYARD

This vineyard has classic Watervale soils - red loam over limestone with a westerly aspect. A dry grown vineyard - meaning it relies only on natural rainfall - the vines are hand-pruned and fruit hand-picked. The limestone allows the soil to retain moisture, which assists the wine throughout periods of warm weather, almost drought-proofing in the summer months. Viticultrual practices include vertical shoot positioning, which not only encourages even ripening but provides important shade to prevent the impact of sunburn on the wine.

VINIFICATION

Fruit is harvested by hand and stored undercover, with approximately seven tonnes being picked in one day. The fruit is de-stemmed and crushed then gently pressed, resulting in a fine free-run cut and a pressings component, which are handled separately. The free-run juice is chilled to preserve the vineyard expression and purity of fruit. Once the juice has settled, it is racked off solids and seeded with yeast. A cool, temperature-controlled fermentation is carried out over 10-14 days.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Alcohol - 11.8%

pH - 3.09

Acidity - 7.6g/L