Australia — wine

Clare Valley GI

Clare Valley, 130km north of Adelaide in South Australia, is one of Australia's most distinctive wine regions. At 400–500m altitude with warm days and cool nights, it produces Australia's greatest Riesling — bone dry, high acid, lime and slate-mineral driven, with extraordinary ageing potential. Clare Riesling develops petrol and toast complexity with age that rivals German and Alsatian expressions. Shiraz from the valley's red soils is also world-class, and Clare was an early adopter of screw cap closures, which helped preserve the Riesling's freshness.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Exceptional conditions produced Clare Riesling of benchmark quality.
2022 Good ripeness; both Riesling and Shiraz showing the valley's characteristic intensity.
2021 A landmark Clare vintage — Riesling of extraordinary mineral precision and depth.
2020 Challenging bushfire season but the valley escaped damage; quality Riesling produced.
2019 Fine year; Riesling showing classic lime and slate mineral character.
2018 Outstanding Clare Riesling vintage — wines of exceptional concentration and ageing potential.
2017 Classic Clare Valley vintage; Grosset Watervale and Polish Hill both exceptional; benchmark for Australian Riesling quality
2016 Superb Clare vintage; Grosset Riesling from 2016 developing magnificently; Polish Hill approaching its peak complexity