Of all three wines the Mt Horrocks was not on the form of the 2002. The O'Leary Walker is significantly better than the 2002 while the Kilikanoon just fails to reach the lofty standard set by the previous vintage. If the Mort's Block Reserve raises the bar several notches (as our beloved forum dictator suggests) we might have something worth crowing about.
NOTES
O’Leary Walker Watervale
Strawbright colour. Lime pastille, orange blossom and slaty nose of some intensity, followed by a juicy but tight lime- and apple-laden palate with very good length and ample cleansing acidity throughout the finish. Suggests around 10 years of longevity. Highly Recommended, verging on Excellent.
Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale
Starbright with a distinctive green tinge, this refreshing young wine displays an attractive earthy/minerally edge to the ‘granny smith’ and intense limey fruit found in the bouquet and on the palate. Slightly broader palate profile than the O’Leary, but, nevertheless, has a crisp, authorative finish of some duration. I can taste this wine long after swallowing. There is the delectable flavour of ripe pear that also deserves a special mention. Highly Recommended, as well. 5-8 years cellaring potential.
Mt Horrocks
Flattest hue of the bunch. Muskier nose, but with a solid lime base. Slightly phenolic palate with ample lime and apply fruit. Acid just a tad disjointed. Quite fat and not a keeper IMHO. Good length. Drink over the next few years. Recommended, just.
SUMMARY
The first and most obvious summation of this most tasting was the consistent lime/apple scents and flavours common to all three wines. The most expensive wine (the Mt. Horrocks) offered the least value for money. Both the O’Leary Walker and the Kilikanoon were of exemplary quality for their price point and should be sought out by lovers of this outstanding grape variety (suck eggs Ric, Brian and co.
) Clare 2003 may be not quite up to the quality of 2002, but seems to be better than 2001 and much better than 2000, 1999 and 1998. The less said about 1997 - remember the “vintage of the decade (even century!)” hype? (excepting the Grosset Polish Hill, of course) - the better!
And I told Gavin I’d try the Mort’s Block! Oh, well, $#@% happens!
