Description
What a remarkable journey for Clonakilla. When John Kirk first planted vines in 1971 who would have thought it would be celebrated as one of Australia’s finest vineyards! Their first Shiraz Viognier was made in 1998 – by 2005 it was deemed ‘Outstanding’ in Langton’s Australian Wine Classification … by 2010 it was promoted to “Exceptional” .. up there with Grange and Hill of Grace! Murrumbateman & Canberra wine region is all about cool climate shiraz … complex layering of raspberry, violets, spice, cracked pepper, roast game with darker blackberry, blackcurrant and aniseed in warmer years. Clonakilla’s shiraz across the board including the Hilltops and O’Riada remind me of syrah at it’s best from famed ‘Cote Rotie’ in France’s Northern Rhone.
From winemaker, Tim Kirk … “This Shiraz is made from grapes selected from five vineyards in the Hilltops district around Young on the South Western Slopes of New South Wales.
Vintage 2021 was marked by a cooler than average summer punctuated by regular rainfall which slowed the ripening and gave expression to a delicious cool-climate elegance in the wine. Mid-dark red hues with warm plum and cherry aromas woven through the region’s trademark dark berry fruit.
“The supreme clarity of the fruit in this gorgeous New South Wales shiraz makes it stand out from the pack. It is beautifully proportioned with impressive flow and exhibits the signature of Clonakilla as much as it does its source region or variety. Everything is perfectly balanced, from the focused cherry flavours to the integrated acidity and discrete tannin. Pure class.” Toni Paterson, MW.
91 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion “.. A delightful rendition that’s purple and bright; among the fruit flavours, green peppercorn, menthol, squid ink and layers of spice. Medium bodied, supple easy tannins and an immediate appeal.”
“Vibrant and deep ruby-red colour, purple tints to the lip. Raspberry, blueberry, musk stick and violet aromatics. Dark berries fill the front-palate, as they evolve across the tongue a layer of dark spices appears and underneath, we see hints of blood and stone. The tannins are a firm, guiding hand to drive the medium-weighted palate long and lingering. Has many years ahead of it.” Stuart Knox, The Real Review
“Mid crimson. High toned. Transparent. Lightweight. The sort of wine you thought Australia would never produce! Positively racy…” Jancis Robinson
RRP $35 Our Price $30.99 – LAST BOTTLES of this Vintage.
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