2014 O'Leary Walker Malbec, Clare Valley

O’Leary Walker Malbec is a wonderfully expressive Clare Valley red that shows just how well this variety can thrive in one of South Australia’s most distinctive regions. Clare’s combination of elevation, warm days and cool nights gives Malbec the ripeness it needs while preserving acidity and structure. The region’s red loam and limestone soils add a savoury, mineral edge that lifts the wine beyond simple fruit richness.

O’Leary Walker is a partnership between winemaker Claire O’Leary and viticulturist Nick Walker, a duo who have built a reputation for small batch, site driven wines that reflect Clare Valley with clarity and confidence. Their approach to Malbec is thoughtful and restrained, letting the vineyard speak rather than pushing the variety into overripe territory.

The wine shows dark plum, blackberry and black cherry, with notes of violet, spice and a gentle earthy undertone. On the palate it is generous but well balanced, with fine tannins and bright acidity giving shape and freshness. There is depth here, but also real drinkability, making it as suited to the table as it is to the glass.

This is a natural partner for food. Grilled lamb, slow cooked beef, barbecue meats, rich vegetable dishes or aged cheeses all bring out its savoury and floral sides.

O’Leary Walker Malbec drinks beautifully now, but it will continue to develop over six to ten years, gaining complexity and polish with time. It is a confident, modern Clare Valley Malbec that shows how exciting this variety can be in the right place and in the right hands.