Wine Enthusiast – 2022 Vintage Review: “Such an exquisite wine. Dave O’Leary compares 2022 with the legendary vintage of 2002 (what a surfeit of riches we’ve had with the 22s following the wonderful 2021s) and on the evidence of this wine, no argument from me. The dry grown vineyard is classic Watervale, red loam over limestone with a westerly aspect. The hand-harvested fruit is de-stemmed, crushed and gently pressed. A component of the pressings is incorporated with the free-run juice, which is chilled after the pressing. The juice is settled, racked and yeast added. Fermentation is kept cool and takes around ten to fourteen days. Beautifully perfumed, this is so fragrant. An utterly magical nose. The wine seems so fragile but there is coiled power lurking below. Seamless, balanced, focused, we have notes of lemons and limes, florals and glacéd fruit. Gentle persistence and the palate really is incredibly long. It is so beguiling now that cellaring will be difficult but it will easily handle ten to twenty years and improve over that time. A brilliant Riesling. Seriously $25? Is this the greatest bargain to be found anywhere in the world? Anyone without a case or two in the cellar is not serious about wine.” - 98 Points Ken Gargett, Winepilot
Huon Hooke – 96 Points - "Beautiful floral, honeysuckle, lime, talc scented, highly aromatic bouquet: there's the sense that the residual sugar is lifting the fruit, which is often the way in off-dry and semi-sweet style rieslings. Exquisite aromas, a note of stone-fruits, the taste off-dry but you would never describe it as sweet. It dries off towards the back-palate with a lot of acidity. Beautifully balanced, a magical wine. The most gorgeous wine on the day. (From the Hughes family's White Hutt vineyard. 13 grams/litre of sweetness. On the riesling scale: half-way through the medium-dry section)" - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – 96 points - "The fruit for this 2023 No. 2 is from Polish Hill River, a subregion in Clare Valley. On the nose, there's juniper berry and cassis, thyme and rosemary, green apple skin and brine. The fruit on the mouth is fleshy and concentrated—the shape of it is almost round—but don't mistake this for soft. The phenolics are firm on the tongue and on the back of the palate. This is a structural Riesling, and it is one with great power and density through the finish. Very impressive. I love the finish on this wine. It's feathered, talcy, textural and flavorsome. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
James Suckling – 97 Points - "Incredibly elegant and delicate with tons of floral aromas, the lime usually associated with this appellation way in the background on the front-palate, then growing in intensity as the wine flows gracefully over the palate. Wonderful textural complexity. Very polished acidity drives the brilliant and very long finish." - James Suckling
James Halliday – Not quite a dry style, but pretty much there. This is just so darn pleasing. It doesn't shout out loud, but it delivers Clare riesling in a matter of fact way with high drinkability, ticking all the right boxes for classic styling. Citrusy, green apple, pink grapefruit, lime sorbet are the calling cards, though a lilt of chamomile finds some additional charm. Quite skeletal in its feel, but fruit character drapes off the bones well and there's plenty for those seeking multi-faceted riesling. A winner.
James Halliday – Delicate aromatics at first. A puff of Mediterranean herbs and lemon blossom, but of course all the action is on the palate. Steely, tight and linear, with wet stone and lime juice. The acidity is pure talc and the finish pristine. Lip-smacking and delicious.
James Halliday – WVR 603 K. The Koerner G6 Block stood out when the time came to bottle the main release, so this small parcel was retained and released separately. Add another 3+ years and you’ll have something to celebrate for your wisdom.
The Wine Front – "Cherry, blackberry, dried herb and mint, some cracked black pepper and spice. Medium-bodied, dry and savoury, brick dust tannin is very appealing, Spanish black olive and dried herb, a little orange zest too, and a firm finish of excellent length. Love the texture and feel of it, house style if you will, though the flavour profile is a little different to prior vintages. Good." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
The Wine Front – "Blackberry, boysenberry, meaty and perfumed with dried herb, some dark chocolate in the mix too. It’s medium to full-bodied, roast beef and dried herb, black fruit, lots of silty Turkish coffee tannin, a little orange peel amaro bitterness on a nice long finish is nice too. It’s an excellent wine. Thick, but lively." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
James Halliday – Rich, ripe and round. A dark-fruited, sloshy textured, glistening Clare shiraz of good energy and sense of freshness, despite the concentration and bold character on show. Blackberry compote, black jellybeans, clove and cinnamon spice between the bouquet and palate. Silky tannins shaping things nicely. The finish a bit smudged with gritty tannin and twiggy spice notes, but fine, you'll get past that for the most part. Easygoing shiraz. - Mike Bennie
James Halliday – A blend of tempranillo, mataro and grenache from three Clare Valley vineyard sites. We've got a live one here! Juicy and ultra-fresh feeling, a bit sweet-fruited and sticky in texture but delivers a pleasing mix of ripe cherry, plummy fruit characters, woody and peppery spice mix and cola/sarsaparilla notes. There's a lushness in the texture, but it finishes fresh enough and with a smidge of tannin. The perfume is ebullient and lively. In all that, a wine of immediate sensory appeal. - Mike Bennie
Nestled in South Australia, Clare Valley boasts a wine history that dates back over 150 years, making it one of Australia's oldest wine regions. Its undulating landscapes and unique microclimates have played a pivotal role in shaping the character of its wines. While it's often recognized for its flagship Rieslings, which exude citrus and floral notes, the valley is also home to a myriad of other varietals. Warm days paired with cool evenings ensure that grapes mature slowly, imbuing them with depth and complexity. Beyond the vines, Clare Valley is steeped in culture, with historic towns, artisanal markets, and scenic vistas adding to its charm. A visit, virtual or real, offers more than just wine—it's a holistic experience, a journey through time and taste.
Clare Valley, an enchanting gem in South Australia's vast wine tapestry, is situated approximately 120 kilometers north of Adelaide. This region, surrounded by rolling hills and pristine landscapes, has solidified its place on the world map as a premier wine-producing location. With a viticultural history dating back to the 1840s, Clare Valley seamlessly marries the old-world charm with the modern advances of winemaking. Its geographic location, combined with its unique topography, ensures that the region enjoys a continental climate, making it prime real estate for vine cultivation.
Absolutely, Clare Valley is renowned for producing high-quality wines that offer excellent value for money. Its unique terroir and climate give rise to wines with deep complexity and vibrant flavors. Rieslings from this region, in particular, are celebrated for their aromatic intensity and crisp acidity. While the region boasts premium labels that cater to the connoisseur, there's a vast selection that caters to those seeking affordability without compromising on quality. Clare Valley ensures that every wine lover, irrespective of budget, gets a taste of its magnificent offerings.
Clare Valley's magic lies in its unique combination of geography, climate, and history. The region's diurnal temperature variation, characterized by warm days and cool nights, aids in the slow ripening of grapes, ensuring depth in flavor and aroma. The valley's terra rossa soils, rich in limestone, contribute to the mineral notes in many of its wines. Additionally, Clare Valley's winemaking heritage, filled with tales of pioneering families and age-old vineyards, adds an extra layer of allure. This heritage, combined with modern innovations, has allowed the region to consistently produce wines that resonate globally.
Clare Valley is synonymous with Riesling. This white wine varietal flourishes in the valley's climate and soils, resulting in wines that are aromatic, crisp, and have a remarkable aging potential. The Rieslings from Clare Valley are recognized for their lime-citrus notes, steely minerality, and high acidity. While Riesling might be the star, the region also produces exemplary Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, showcasing the versatility of the valley.
Selecting the "best" wines from Clare Valley is subjective due to the vast range of exceptional offerings. However, some iconic labels have gained international acclaim. The region's Rieslings, with their hallmark vibrancy, often steal the limelight. Labels like "Grosset Polish Hill" and "Kilikanoon Mort's Block" have earned a reputation for excellence. In the red wine spectrum, Clare Valley Shiraz, with its rich flavors and velvety texture, has many admirers. Names like "Jim Barry The Armagh" and "Tim Adams The Aberfeldy" are often cited as benchmarks in quality. Each bottle from Clare Valley, irrespective of the label, promises a journey of taste and terroir.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.