2024 O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling

O’Leary Walker’s Watervale vineyard has classic Watervale soils - red loam over limestone with a westerly aspect. The limestone allows the soil to retain moisture, which assists the wine throughout periods of warm weather, almost drought-proofing in the summer months.
It’s harvested a few weeks before the Polish Hill River vineyard.
Brilliant water like core with vibrant highlights of green around the edges. Jumping out of the glass are intense lime, citrus and orange rind scents which are trailed by talc, wet steel and mineral notes. Crunchy lemon and lime fruits are backed by shimmering acidity with some Granny Smith apple, wet steel, chalky talc and flinty mineral elements lingering across the back half. Tense and concentrated with a punchy feel it finishes crisp, long and flinty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%

Other Reviews….
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. Drink 2024-2039.
96 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

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. Drink 2024-2032.
95 points
Jeni Port – WinePilot.com

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.
95 points
Qwine Reviews