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.
About this wine from the winemaker, Tim Kirk: “This Shiraz is made from grapes selected from four vineyards in the Hilltops district around Young on the Southwestern slopes of New South Wales. The fruit was destemmed and fermented in open fermenters with twice daily pump overs with 12 to 16 days on skins. Post ferment the wine was racked to French oak puncheons and barriques, around 10% new, for 12 months. Spring rainfall was surprisingly healthy, given the forecast for a strong El Nino effect. October frost reduced yields in some sites. The warm weather did arrive though mid to late summer and excellent ripening conditions prevailed. The nett result: lower volumes of very high-quality fruit showing rich, ripe aromatics and generally intense fruit flavours. Drink now or cellar with confidence for 10+ years.”
NEW VINTAGE IS HERE!
Reviews for 2023 – 95 points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot “This is ridiculous value. If the limited supply, or the price, of their iconic Shiraz Viognier puts you off, but you still want to see what all the fuss is about, you have no excuse not to load up on this wine. From a selection of five vineyards in the Hilltops region, fermentation was over two weeks, with no whole bunches included. The wine spent a year maturing in French oak. The colour here is a vibrant purple and the wine, as always, is beautifully constructed. Alluring aromas with spices, pepper, blueberries and red fruits, dry herbs and raspberries all present and correct. The wine has fresh acidity, silky tannins and a long and lingering finish with near perfect balance. A ten year proposition, if you can keep your hands off it, and good luck with that.”
93 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion “A bit of a chameleon as it first appears spicy and herbal with sweet-sour flavours, then it changes to gutsy and flavoursome with a little meaty reduction. Still finding its way perhaps. It’s inky, with wafts of bitumen and pepper, flavours of kirsch, dark plums and cedary oak. Fuller bodied and fleshy with plentiful tannins; there’s a certain refinement, too, with fine acidity in tow.”
Huon Hooke, The Real Review “Deep-ish red with a good tint of purple, the bouquet shows mixed brown spices and charred meat aromas, while the palate is medium bodied at most and softly textured for easy drinking young. Moderate persistence. Seems tailored for early drinking and does it well. Cool-climate shiraz flavours and elegance.”
91 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “Shiraz sourced from five vineyards in the Hilltops region. Latest harvest in over a decade. This is as reliably good as ever, without being an absolute peak vintage release. It tastes of black cherry with edges of plum; there are herb and twig-like notes (though no whole bunches were used), there’s a subtle toasty meatiness and a little bit of mint too. Smoky/nutty oak characters are modest, bordering on unnoticeable. This wine is medium in weight at most, and a pleasure to drink.”
RRP $35 **Our Special Price $27.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine**
