Clare Valley

South Australia · Australia · Wine Auction Prices

The Clare Valley, 145 kilometres north of Adelaide, is Australia's most celebrated Riesling region, producing dry, bone-dry examples of extraordinary mineral intensity and remarkable longevity. The Valley's high elevation (400–500m), significant diurnal temperature variation (up to 25°C), and limestone-rich soils combine to produce Riesling with the firm acid structure necessary for long ageing. Jim Barry (Florita, Watervale), Grosset (Polish Hill, Watervale), Tim Adams, and Kilikanoon are the key producers. Grosset Polish Hill — from the high-elevation, slate-rich Poland sub-valley — is the region's benchmark auction wine, achieving $40–80 per bottle. Clare Riesling aged 15–20 years develops the classic 'petrol' note (TDN terpene) without losing freshness; the 1990, 1997, 2002, and 2012 vintages are considered exceptional. Jim Barry's The Armagh, a Shiraz from a single vineyard block, is Clare's most collected red.

Clare Valley

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling, from dry-farmed slate-and-shale soils at 500m in the Poland sub-valley, is Clare's most collected auction wine: bone-dry, linear, and austere when young, it develops extraordinary petrol-mineral complexity with 10–20 years of cellaring.

Clare Valley's dramatic diurnal temperature variation — up to 25°C between day and night during ripening — preserves the natural tartaric acid essential for world-class Riesling; the valley's pH rarely exceeds 3.0, allowing wines to age without oxidation for decades.

Jim Barry's The Armagh Shiraz, from a single limestone-rich block planted 1968 at 450m elevation, is Clare Valley's most prestigious red; the 1997 and 2002 vintages are considered exceptional, combining Barossa-like concentration with cooler-climate elegance.

Clare Riesling aged 15–20 years reliably develops TDN (trimethyl-dihydronaphthalene), the kerosene-like compound associated with mature Riesling; the 1990 Grosset Polish Hill is still drinking, demonstrating the variety's longevity in high-elevation South Australian conditions.

$104

Avg Price / Bottle

322

Auction Lots

1975

Top Vintage

$1 – $1.0k

Price Range

In the Glass

Clare Valley Riesling is the paradigm of Australian dry Riesling: bone-dry, high-acid, and intensely mineral. In youth: lime juice, grapefruit peel, slate, and green apple. With 10–20 years: petrol, toast, honey, and a waxy richness that never sacrifices the essential acidity. The style has no peers in the New World and draws natural comparison to Mosel and Rhine Valley Riesling. Clare Shiraz is more structured and cooler-climate in character than the Barossa: black pepper, dried herbs, and iron rather than chocolate and vanilla.

Red White

Red Wines

Wine	Avg Price	Lots Sold
Georges Malbec	$173	73
Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz	$118	58
Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz	$84	36
Robertson Of Clare Max V	$63	30
Noon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve	$104	17
Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz	$87	15
Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz	$78	12
Grosset Gaia	$116	11
Pikes E W P Shiraz Reserve	$37	10
Kilikanoon Testament Shiraz	$40	10
Leasingham Classic Clare Shiraz	$22	8
Kilikanoon Killermans Run Grenache Shiraz Mataro	$89	5

White Wines

Wine	Avg Price	Lots Sold
Grosset Polish Hill Riesling	$96	14

Top Producers

Georges Kilikanoon Jim Barry Robertson Of Clare Grosset Pikes Noon Leasingham

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