2016 O'Leary Walker Claire Reserve Shiraz

97 POINTS

Ray Jordan

"Nothing is spared from fruit sourcing to winemaking. The fruit comes from a Polish Hill River vineyard that is more than 100 years old, and it eventually finds its way into 100 per cent new French oak for 12 months. It's pretty obvious such a concentration of fruit can handle the oak and the end result is a wine revealing great poise and balance. Massive concentration with the chalky tannin, ironstone character supporting it through a very long finish. There is real cellaring potential here."

96 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday Wine Companion

The new black packaging works a treat. Hailing from 100yo vines in Polish Hill River, the concentration is literally breathtaking. You can sense the power on the swarthy/leathery/black fruit of the bouquet, the palate doubling down on all that goes before. Its future will be measured in decades not years – needs the optimism of matriarch Claire Marie O'Leary.

96 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Winepilot

They have thrown everything at this wine including the kitchen sink. 120 year old Clare Valley Polish Hill River vines, two and a half years in oak and only released in the very best vintages, the last was in 2013. Massive expectations on this wine and it delivered. There is a deep and youthful colour with the fruit powerful yet reserved and all that oak remaining in balance. It’s an exotic ride – spicy, slatey, soy sauce and tobacco aromas sit over a bed of fleshy, dark fruits. The gear changes on the palate which is dry, full-bodied and has great impact – two and a half years in oak have not dulled it which is a great sign for the cellar. Blackberry and mulberry fruit are topped by subtle spicy and meaty elements underpinned by long and sinewy tannins. This multi-layered wine is topped off by a youthful power and firm structure that show a wine that is built for the long term. Very, very impressive and, while over $100 a bottle, a bargain.

95 POINTS

QWine Reviews

"Greatness graces your presence with this delightful Shiraz from O'Leary Walker. Class pulsates through its veins. ... Delicate and fine. Finesse is a word that comes to mind. It's that comfortable embrace from an old friend. The fruit and oak dance in great synergy. Already with five years bottle age, blackberries, woodsy spices, dark plums and chocolate brownie entwine seamlessly. Cloves and fine touches of cedar ride on its coattails with a generous tannin profile. Supreme elegance, this is a wine that deserves every accolade that comes its way. As for longevity, it will live as long as you want. Treat yourself."

95 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

Claire Shiraz from the Clare Valley. If you have a spare 20 years up your sleeve then you’re in business here. This thumping shiraz has longevity written all over it. That said, at five years of age, it’s mightily enjoyable now, so long as you enjoy/appreciate a wealth of rusty, mouth-puckering tannin. Rich plum, minted chocolate, orange, earth, briar, seaweed and leather notes put on an entirely convincing show. It is however all about the finish; it’s big on tannin and on length. Label design has been tweaked but I don’t have access to the new version.

95 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Winepilot

"There is a deep and youthful colour with the fruit powerful yet reserved and all that oak remaining in balance. It's an exotic ride - spicy, slatey, soy sauce and tobacco aromas sit over a bed of fleshy, dark fruits. The gear changes on the palate which is dry, full-bodied and has great impact - two and a half years in oak have not dulled it which is a great sign for the cellar. Blackberry and mulberry fruit are topped by subtle spicy and meaty elements underpinned by long and sinewy tannins. This multi-layered wine is topped off by a youthful power and firm structure that show a wine that is built for the long term. Very, very impressive and, while over $100 a bottle, a bargain." - Angus Hughson

93 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Very deep, dense, concentrated purple/red colour stains the glass, while the first aromas reveal generous oak resulting in mocha, coffee-powder and cocoa-powder nuances. The palate is super-dense and concentrated, fleshy and emphatic in its tannins, a very big wine which is nevertheless polished and supple, balanced and well proportioned. Cellaring recommended. (from Polish Hill River)

93 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

"Very deep, dense, concentrated purple/red colour stains the glass, while the first aromas reveal generous oak resulting in mocha, coffee-powder and cocoa-powder nuances. The palate is super-dense and concentrated, fleshy and emphatic in its tannins, a very big wine which is nevertheless polished and supple, balanced and well proportioned." - Huon Hooke