2025 Polish Hill River Riesling

Riesling

Clare Valley

Seafood

2025

Vibrant hue with a subtle green glint.

Floral bath powder bouquet, with hints of musk stick and orange blossom.

Punchy upfront fruit, with balanced acidity and notes of fresh grape, wet slate, subtle citrus, and musk.

Drink now or cellar for 15-20 years.

Despite growing these vines organically since their planting in the 1970s, 2010 marked the first year of NASAA Organic Certification for these vineyards. Martin and Joan Smith and Molloy's vineyards are virtually next to each other in Polish Hill River and consistently produce top quality fruit which highlights the excellence of this sub-region of the Clare Valley. Grey loam acid soils over sandstone and slate make up the profile with much of the top soil littered with rock, proving just how tough the vines need to be to sustain growth and produce quality fruit. It is the slate of Polish Hill River, as opposed to the limestone of Watervale, that gives rise to the point of difference between these styles.

The 2025 vintage, shaped by a particularly dry growing season with just half the average rainfall, has produced a wine of remarkable intensity and powerful early fruit expression. It has a prolonged finish accented with fresh flavours. 2025 also marks 25 years of Riesling produced by O’Leary Walker — a milestone that celebrates both heritage and finesse.

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96 Points – Winepilot

“This exceptional wine from an exceptional vintage shows a clear distinction between it and the Watervale version from the same year. This one sort of moves into more floral bath salts characters while retaining that perfume floral note that is typical of the region. There’s a wet, pebbly, crunchy feel here with the citrus notes evident throughout. There’s even a little of that musk lolly character that we might have had as kids, but is subtle and understated. This is complex and superbly presented. One of the finest yet under this label.” – Ray Jordan

95 Points – Qwine

“Taut, concentrated and expressive, this O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling continues to fly the flag as an excellent expression of the variety. The trademark slatey and minerally drive that these Polish Hill River Rieslings take centre stage, but there is a lifted prettiness I'm savouring. Sourced from an organically farmed vineyard, green apples and lime juice are right at home as citrus flowers chime and bath salts add fragrance. A lively grapefruit thread runs the length of the palate underpinned by a fine talc-like texture. Dangerously silky, it seizes up on close and that tension demonstrates its age-ability. The kind of tonic for a long, rough week, one or two glasses at wine o'clock will make the pressures of the world feel lighter.” – Steve Leszczynski

95 Points – Winepilot, Jeni Port

94 Points – The WineFront 

“This puts on a powerhouse display. Rocks, limes, hay, plenty of texture, some grip, a keen juiciness through the finish, lots of goodness. Whispers of fennel and more-than-whispers of wet slate in the aftertaste. Dry in a good way. Like this a lot.” – Campbell Mattinson

93 Points – The Real Review 

“Very light green-ish yellow hue; the aromas are fresh and youthful, restrained and pristine, with lemon pith, lime leaf and steely mineral overtones. Juicy in the middle then crisp and refrshingly clean on the finish. A delicate wine with tension and refinement, and long ageing potential.” – Huon Hooke 

92 Points (Silver) – Halliday Wine Companion

“Crackling and energetic, a cavalcade of citrus fruits with a distinct Japanese citrus fruit bent. Texture almost sits in that crystalline zone but for the light juiciness that emerges with time in the glass. A bit of curious lanolin character in here, a green wood sap tone, a kind of pretty, rosehip note, some frangipani in the mix, too. Quite high-toned here. It feels a little diffuse in its personality right now, a bit pale, so do give it time to flesh out and settle a bit to see further enhancement.” – Mike Bennie