2022 Clare Valley Shiraz

Deep Maroon with purple hues. 

Bright primary fruit and concentrated spice.  

Deeply layered and beautifully integrated. Raspberry, plum, black olive, liquorice and oak spice with coating tannins and a long finish.

Up to 15 years.

This Shiraz is made using fruit from two of our vineyards - both the cooler region of Polish Hill River and the warmer Armagh, north of Clare.

The fruit comes from two of the Clare Valley’s premium sub-regions – Armagh and Polish Hill River. Each batch is fermented separately in two and four tonne fermenters over a 12 day period and hand-plunged. The wine is left on skins post-fermentation, enhancing tannin complexity and maximising flavour. This is pressed to tank, then racked to oak (25% new French oak, 75% seasoned French oak) for 18-24 months. 

Alcohol - 14.5%

pH - 3.41

Acidity - 6.7g/L

96 Points - Winepilot

"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." - Jeni Port

95 Points - QWine Reviews

"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." - Steve Leszczynski 

95 Points - Winepilot

"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, 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." - Ken Gargett

93 Points - The Wine Front

"This is a bold, generous, full-flavoured shiraz, plump with roasted plum flavours and strewn with peppercorn, toast, cedarwood and dark chocolate. There’s a fair amount of oak but it’s well integrated and, indeed, it’s well suited to the profile of the fruit, not to mention the overall style of the wine. There’s a saltbush note to the finish but it doesn’t distract, and given the sweet fullness of the overall wine, this too could be construed as a positive; it adds a savouriness. Tannin adds a fair rip to the wine, again in a good way. This is both a polished red wine and a gutsy one. If you like full-bodied red wine, go for this." - Campbell Mattinson

90 Points -  The Real Review 

"Deep, dark red-purple hue; sweet blackberry pastille aroma, almost jammy, the palate full-bodied and firm with a solid helping of firm and grippy tannins. It's a touch chewy, and would benefit from some time in the cellar." - Huon Hooke