Apple, lime and slate aromas; a beautifully structured and focused palate, the flavour flowing on evenly from the bouquet; thoroughly impressive line and length. Screwcap. 12% alc. Rating 95 Points Drink 2016 $20 Date Tasted Jul 08 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
 
We say it time, and time, and time again and by the time we are done and dusted with the 2008 vintage Rieslings from the Clare and Eden valley's we'll be saying it a whole lot more - Riesling is easily the best value segment on the Australian wine market. While we talk about sub-$20 wines in other categories as being 'good value' or relative bargains to higher priced wines, in the instance of Riesling the quality is almost expected with most wines retailing below $20 anyway.
 
The O'Leary Walker and Grosset examples from 2008, without looking at the retail price would be my two picks from the vintage. With an eye on price, the OLW is about half the other so it makes sense to load up on it. The OLW Polish is as fresh as the proverbial daisy with steely aromas of crisp lime, apple and pear. It's battery acid dry at this stage of its life, which is very fine with me but just watch it put on weight over the ensuing years. This wine is a lesson in structure and has been built to perfection. Drink: Now – 2018+; Quality: Excellent - BW; WineStar© September 2008
 
The Polish Hill River to the west of the Clare Valley proper is cooler and has slaty soils, resulting in later ripening. Autosuggestion or not, it has apple, lime and slate flavours on the beautifully structured and focused palate, these flavours flowing on evenly from the bouquet, with impressive line and length. From Clare Valley, SA Drink now-2018 with stuffed red capsicum $20, S, 12° alc 95 points & Halliday’s Top 100 – The Weekend Australian November 8-9, 2008
 
O'Leary Walker's 2008 Polish Hill River Riesling is in scintillating form, full of piercing intent. Bright and crisp, it smells of slate and lime juice - really pure and focused. Intense fresh acidity runs straight through the palate, finishing with lip-smacking flavour and wet mineral cut. 94 points; Nick Stock, The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2009
 
Penguin Award: Best Riesling - The Penguin Good Australian WINE Guide 2009
 
This stunning riesling smells precisely like its country: acid slatey top notes, drying meadow blooms and fresh creek line fennel pretty up all the delicious fruits. Banana, pear, pineapple and limes simmer away below before the usual Polish Hill lychee pokes its fleshy head out. It's fleshy, but more austere than usual, drying and teasing, and beautifully long for a riesling with no residual sugar. 94+++ points; Philip White, The Independent Weekly (Aus), 31 October 2008