2025 Clos Clare Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley

A crisp and crackling riesling with just a touch of body, some quiet, nutty savoury elements, a good drive of citrusy freshness and tang. A bit of green herb and snow pea snap to the wine, too. It fits the varietal definitions; it provides freshness and feels well balanced in its elements. A little shrill twang through the finish is the only quibble. At the price, you should be happy with this. Drink to 2032.

93 points & Special Value Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026

The 2025 Riesling from Watervale is talcy, pithy and floral, although like many other 2025 wines from Clare, it feels light, spicy and textural rather than inherently fruit-driven. In the mouth, the wine is has phenolic tension and acidic drive, alongside the notes of nag champa, dried lavender and sweet tobacco, with the lime pith and petrichor notes there, too.

92+ points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, April 2026

Clos Clare has its origins as a sub-division of the historic Warilto homestead, also home to the famed Florita vineyard in the Watervale subregion of Clare Valley. Local legends from Leo Buring to Tim Knappstein, Jeffrey Grosset and Nick Walker have all contributed to Clos Clare’s reputation as one of the region’s most characterful Rieslings.

Its current custodians are Tom and Sam Barry, grandsons of Clare Valley pioneer Jim Barry and the third generation of a family that has shaped this region for decades. The brothers bring the same instinct for site and variety that runs through their family’s history, but through their own voice and new ideas. Tom studied oenology and worked vintages with Erni Loosen in the Mosel and Bert Salomon in the Kamptal before returning to Clare.