Miss Zilm Pinot Gris 2022

 

From the Clare Valley sub-region of Sevenhill comes this tidy Pinot Gris made by Keeda Zilm. 

O'Leary Walker Gruner Veltliner 2022

 

The last O'Leary Walker Gruner I saw was way back from the 2015 vintage. It has been MIA since but the new winemaking team has brought it back and it's a good thing they did. This Gruner tops. Go here. 

O'Leary Walker Clare Valley Shiraz 2020

 

This whisked me away last year and here we go again. Stepping it up a little more, what a fabulous drink this is!

O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling 2022

 

Boom! Steely, focused and damn fantastic. A brilliant Riesling, this is the best Polish Hill River release from O'Leary Walker that I have seen to date. Bravo.

O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling 2022

 

Deliciously fragrant, this is a super expression of Watervale Riesling. From a year that mirrored the outstanding 2002, get in the queue for this ripping 2022.

Rockbare Riesling 2021

 

Serious Riesling vibes. Pour me a large glass after mowing the lawn, or any time for that matter. Thank you very much.

Vickery Reserve Watervale Riesling 2019

 

Two blocks, Koerner G1 & G4 Block, were kept separate before blending to deliver this excellent Riesling. Two years of bottle age prior to release and already it is showing some early development with some toast peering through.

Tonic Wines Grenache 2020

 

I love this. It oozes class and deliciousness. Juicy fruit and silky feels reach out and pull you in - and I don't want to let go.

O'Leary Walker Romalo Sparkling Shiraz NV

 

Named in honour of Norman and Hurtle Walker, Nick Walker's respective father and grandfather who spent over 100 years in the wine industry., the Romalo cellars were where they honed their craft. Wrap your lips around this tasty Sparkling Shiraz.

Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache 2018

 

Most Grenache releases come out a year or two after their vintage so it's good to see the odd example with a little bottle age on its side.

Kilikanoon Mort's Block Riesling 2021

 

There's a significant flood event happening in Brisbane at the moment. Residents are being told to conserve water due to issues at the treatment plant. Problem solved - drink more Riesling! Splash this in the glass and its energy and vibe consume you. 

Kilikanoon Ashton 1920 Mataro 2020

 

An impressive Mataro that is ready for you to sink your teeth into. This is the first release of this wine - a celebration of the 100-year-old vineyard that was planted in 1920. Mataro lovers ought to black book this as it's due for release in coming months.

Kilikanoon KX Small Batch Riesling 2021

 

An Alsace style, this was the first Riesling harvested in the Clare Valley's 2021 vintage. Medium dry, that lick of residual sugar shoulders its way to the fore. 

Hesketh Fiano 2021

 

The second release of this Fiano, I'd be curious to watch this wine evolve in coming years given the young age of the vines.

Vickery The Reserve Watervale Riesling 2018

 

As Kenny Rogers once said, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." So with this Riesling, do you hold or drink now? You'll be rewarded either way that's for sure. A ripping Riesling from the Clare Valley sub-region of Watervale.

Miss Zilm Riesling 2021

 

Wow! Clare Valley Riesling in the zone. A personal project of Keeda Zilm, she has packed nearly 20 years of Riesling knowledge and experience into this mightily impressive wine. 

It's zippy and personable, bright and fresh - it's all things you want in a Riesling as you cool your heels on a warm afternoon. 

Miss Zilm Fiano 2021

 

I haven't had the pleasure of tasting a Miss Zilm wine previously, but it seems the work of Keeda Zilm has come across the tasting bench previously through her work at O'Leary Walker for 16 years. This Fiano is a beauty. There's a precision here and an abundance of flavour too. Very expressive, it's that friend you could chat to all night. 

Gaelic Cemetery McAskill Cabernet Malbec 2019

 

Give this time and you'll reap the reward. Quite tense early, it was still calming itself down on Day 3 of tasting. With a long life ahead, it's a wine that grows on you with more time in the glass.

Gaelic Cemetery Celtic Farm Riesling 2019

Riesling with its game face on. Focused with some development under its belt, this Clare Valley treasure gives a wonderful insight into where it's headed for the years to come. 

O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling 2021

 

The marvelous Riesling duo from O'Leary Walker is one I look forward to each year. This Polish Hill River takes the flag once more in 2021. A fab drink ready to add pleasure to your afternoon kickbacks.