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Clare Valley

Australia

About Clare Valley

A compact, historic region north of Adelaide, Clare Valley pioneered the use of screw caps for premium Riesling in Australia, challenging the notion that great wine requires cork. Its continental climate, with warm days and cool nights at 400-500 metres elevation, produces Rieslings of crystalline purity with a distinctive lime juice character. The region's red terra rossa and slate soils also produce excellent Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Polish Hill River and Watervale are the most recognized sub-regions, each with distinct soil types.

Vintage Ratings

Rating:
5
4
3
2
1
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990
White

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Outstanding Clare Valley Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

White

2023

Ready
Excellent

Excellent quality Rieslings with high acidities and fine varietal expression. Cool, late-season conditions preserved freshness beautifully.

2024Peak 2028–20382043

2022

Ready
Exceptional

Jeffrey Grosset described it as a beautiful, idyllic vintage of uninterrupted, stunningly beautiful weather, more typical of the best vintages of the 1980s and 1990s. Rieslings of exceptional purity with moderate crops basking in mild, sunny days.

2023Peak 2028–20422045

2021

Ready
Exceptional

Exceptional quality with pristine aromatics, finesse, and high natural acidity across every variety. A long, cool, dry ripening season produced Rieslings of extraordinary intensity and longevity potential.

2022Peak 2027–20402044

2017

At peak
Excellent

A standout year for Clare Valley Riesling. Cool, wet conditions produced wines of lovely structure, freshness, and aromatic complexity with excellent natural acidity.

2018Peak 2023–20342038

2016

At peak
Excellent

An excellent vintage producing Rieslings of purity and precision. Classic lime juice character with racy acidity and fine mineral notes.

2017Peak 2022–20332037

2015

At peak
Excellent

A fine vintage with excellent concentration and natural acidity. Rieslings show classic Clare Valley character with intense lime and mineral notes.

2016Peak 2021–20322036

2014

At peak
Excellent

An excellent vintage for Riesling with outstanding varietal purity and intensity. Wines of real distinction from both Polish Hill River and Watervale.

2015Peak 2020–20312035

2013

At peak
Excellent

Warm, dry, early conditions generated vivid Rieslings with full flavour and good concentration. An excellent, if slightly warmer-styled, vintage.

2014Peak 2019–20302034

2012

At peak
Exceptional

Outstanding Rieslings with pristine acidity and intense lime fruit character. Low yields and mild conditions produced wines of great concentration and longevity.

2013Peak 2019–20312035

2010

At peak
Excellent

Excellent Rieslings with vivid fruit and fine acidity. Winter rains ended drought, restoring vine health and producing balanced, elegant wines.

2011Peak 2016–20272031

2009

At peak
Exceptional

Near-perfect combination of climate and weather conditions. Coolest season since 2005, with mild days and cool nights producing classic Rieslings of great purity, vivid lime character, and electric acidity.

2010Peak 2016–20282032

2006

Drink now
Excellent

An excellent vintage with Rieslings of great purity and character. Some splitting in scattered areas, but overall quality was high with wines showing significant potential.

2007Peak 2012–20242027

2005

Drink now
Exceptional

Near-perfect conditions produced one of the finest Clare Valley Riesling vintages. Below-average temperatures with warm, dry autumn.

2006Peak 2012–20252028

2002

Past window
Exceptional

A very cool, highly regarded vintage producing stunning Rieslings. Classic lime-shred character with honey and toast development.

2003Peak 2009–20222025

1998

Past window
Excellent

An excellent vintage where stringent fruit selection paid off. Rieslings of real quality with fine acidity and classic varietal purity.

1999Peak 2005–20152018

1997

Past window
Excellent

An outstanding vintage for Clare Valley Riesling. Wines of great purity and structure with excellent aging potential.

1998Peak 2004–20142017

1995

Past window
Excellent

An excellent vintage producing Rieslings of great intensity and structure. Classic lime and mineral character with impressive cellaring ability.

1996Peak 2002–20122015

1992

Past window
Excellent

An excellent vintage with concentrated, well-structured Rieslings. Great purity and intensity.

1993Peak 2000–20092012

1990

Past window
Exceptional

An exceptional vintage for Clare Valley Riesling. Concentrated, intensely flavoured wines of great structure and remarkable longevity.

1991Peak 1998–20122015

Terroir & Character

Climate

continentaldrycool nights

Continental climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The key to Clare Valley's success is its significant diurnal temperature variation - hot days ripen the grapes while cool nights preserve essential acidity and aromatic compounds.

Terroir

diverse soilsslatesandwell-drainedclaylimestone

The valley floor features red-brown clay soils over limestone, while the hillsides offer slate, shale, and sandy loam soils with excellent drainage. The region's varied topography, ranging from 300-500 meters elevation, creates diverse microclimates that allow different grape varieties to find their perfect spots.

Typical Aromas

lime zestwet slateeucalyptuskerosenegreen appletoast
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Clare Valley

Riesling

white
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelimelemonwhite peach

Dry, toasty, lime-driven

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Clare Valley wine special?▼
Clare Valley is famous for producing Australia's most crystalline, age-worthy Rieslings thanks to its continental climate with warm days and cool nights at 400-500 meter elevation. The region was also a pioneer in using screw caps for premium wines, which was revolutionary for preserving the pristine character of their Rieslings. It's a compact, historic region north of Adelaide that consistently delivers wines with incredible purity and precision.
What are the best Clare Valley vintages?▼
The standout recent vintages are 2021 and 2022, both rated 5/5 - Jeffrey Grosset called 2022 'beautiful and idyllic' while 2021 delivered exceptional quality with pristine aromatics and high natural acidity. 2016, 2017, and 2023 are all excellent 4/5 vintages, with 2017 being particularly notable for its cool, wet conditions that produced outstanding Rieslings.
What grapes are grown in Clare Valley?▼
Riesling is absolutely the king of Clare Valley - it's what the region is famous for and does better than almost anywhere else in Australia. While other varieties are grown there, Clare Valley Riesling is what put this region on the world wine map and remains its calling card.
Is 2023 a good year for Clare Valley?▼
Yes, 2023 was an excellent vintage rated 4/5 for Clare Valley whites. The Rieslings show high acidities and fine varietal expression, which are exactly the qualities you want from this region. It's a very solid vintage that should produce age-worthy wines.
When should I drink Clare Valley 2023?▼
Clare Valley Rieslings are incredibly age-worthy, and the 2023s with their high acidity will develop beautifully over time. You can enjoy them young for their fresh, citrusy character, but they'll really shine after 5-10 years when they develop those classic petrol and toast notes. The best examples can age gracefully for 15-20 years.
What food pairs well with Clare Valley wines?▼
Clare Valley Riesling is incredibly food-friendly - the high acidity and citrus notes make it perfect with Asian cuisine, especially Thai and Vietnamese dishes. It's also brilliant with shellfish, goat cheese, and spicy foods since the acidity cuts through rich flavors. For aged Rieslings, try them with roasted pork or duck.
How does Clare Valley compare to other major wine regions?▼
Clare Valley punches way above its weight for such a compact region - it's to Australian Riesling what Burgundy is to Pinot Noir. Compared to Germany's Mosel or Alsace, Clare Valley Rieslings are typically drier with more pronounced lime and citrus character rather than stone fruit. The region's innovation with screw caps also set it apart from traditional European regions still wedded to cork.