2022 O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River Armagh Shiraz

After building an enviable reputation working for some of Australia’s most prestigious wineries David O’Leary and Nick Walker established their own venture in 2000. Based in the Clare Valley they specialise in Riesling and Shiraz that consistently excel in the value for money stakes.
For the superb 2022 vintage fruit was sourced from two Clare Valley sub regions, the cooler Polish Hill River and also the warmer Armagh, north of Clare. Each batch is fermented separately in two and four tonne fermenters over a 12 day period and hand-plunged. Maturation took place in French oak, 25% new, for a period of 18 months.

Bold, super seductive Clare Valley Shiraz at its finest.

Dense pitch black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Potent liquorice, ripe blackberry and black cherry aromas waft through the nostrils complimented by smoky vanillin cedar, black olive, fennel and peppered earth notes. Whilst just as rich, bold and concentrated as recent releases, the 2022 vintage is also plusher and more open for business. Swamping every corner of the mouth are succulent blackberry, liquorice and ripe black cherry fruits which overlay a vanillin cedar, scorched earth, black olive and peppered fennel back drop. Demonstrating outstanding power and volume along with an opulent texture it possesses a very polished yet sturdy framework of tannins. Concludes with a long exuberant blackpepper laced finish. An outstanding follow up to the highly lauded 2021 vintage.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
What a glorious expression of Clare Valley Shiraz. It’s a wine that speaks of the land and the soil, of Aussie bush notes and earth, of bramble, blackcurrant, black cherry, peppercorns, liquorice, sage and warm clove oak. And that’s just the wealth of aromas that explode in the glass after pouring. Boasts plenty of class all round, naturally fine featured, well integrated. The 14.5% alcohol might suggest a high degree of richness and weight, but it’s deceptive. The Shiraz remains well within medium bodied territory in red plums, black cherry, bush notes and earth boasting an overall fineness. Tannin management, I would suggest, is the key here, bringing structure and suppleness. The result is a perfect balance. This can only be a plus as it ages . . . and it most certainly will age well. And look at that price! Outstanding value here. Drink 2024-2032.
96 points
Jeni Port – WinePilot.com

The fruit here is sourced from two of the most exciting sub-regions in the Clare Valley, Armagh and the Polish Hill River. Fermentation of each is kept separate and the wine then sees time on skins. Pressed to tank and then racked to French oak barrels, 25% of which were new. The colour is an appealing cherry red/purple. The nose is intense with notes of chocolate, cloves, black olives, bergamot, coffee beans, blackberries and cold tea. The wine offers good focus, serious concentration and fine balance, finishing with silky tannins. Great length here and this is a wine destined to give pleasure for at least the next ten to fifteen years. Absolutely cracking value. A case in the cellar now will make you look like a genius in a decade. Drink 2024-2034.
95 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

One of the best value Shiraz releases I have seen this year. I only reviewed the 2021 vintage in April and here we have the 2022 hot on its heels. A brilliant expression of Clare Valley Shiraz, I enjoyed it a touch more than its predecessor. Incredible value for $35, run to this. From the Clare Valley sub-regions of Polish Hill River and Armagh, this spends 18 months in French oak.
A riot of blackberries, dark chocolate and black olives reach out for an embrace. Coffee grounds, mocha, licorice and chocolate-dipped raspberries build interest and an engaging momentum as fine spices frame the package beautifully. What stands out to me, however, is the dense and generous presentation yet there is an even tempo and fluidity. The 2022 label has been updated to represent a new shade of olive green that reflects the olive notes in this wine and a hallmark of O'Leary Walker Clare Valley Shiraz. Damn it's tasty stuff. Don't walk, run.
95 points
Steve Leszczynski – Qwine Reviews