Description
Kilikanoon, established in 1997 by Kevin Mitchell, with grapes from two vineyards owned by Kevin and his father Mort, specialises in producing wines with strong regional and varietal definition.
In its relatively short history Kilikanoon has won a large number of Australian and International awards and received high praise from the world’s most respected wine writers. The 2002 Clare Valley Wine Show really put Kilikanoon on the map, when they took home six of the seven trophies. Since that time the winery has gone from strength to strength taking home a number of awards including the San Francisco International Wine Competitions, Best of Nation Trophy (2010), and receiving comments such as “This is one of the most brilliantly run wineries in Australia” from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Kilikanoon has been awarded ‘Australian Winery of the Year’ four times in the past eight years; by James Halliday in 2013 and Mundus Vini of Germany in 2010, 2017 and 2018; Previous Winner of the 2018 Shiraz Trophy – International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC); Platinum and 97 points Decanter World Wine Awards 18
Flagship wine of Kilikanoon, old vine Clare shiraz comprising the best 4 vineyard parcels from vines planted by Kevin Mitchell’s father Mort in the 60’s and 70’s. Made in an opulent and regional style to benchmark the best of Clare Valley terroir it has now been awarded World’s Best Shiraz for the third time by the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London. The Oracle Shiraz was also listed on Langton’s Classification in 2010 in only its tenth year of production making it the youngest winery to have a wine listed on Langton’s Classification.
From the winemaker about this wine: “2018 was a classically cool Clare Valley vintage with long than summer days where the average daytime temperatures comfortably plateaued. This soft season slowed the ripening process and allowed our winemaking team to harvest each parcel at optimal maturity as the grapes were able to hang longer on the vine.
Low yielding parcels of Shiraz were selected from each vineyard based on concentration of flavours. Each parcel was then vinified separately using traditional winemaking techniques, before being aged for fourteen months in a careful selection of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads.
Dark ruby in colour with youthful crimson highlights. Subtle and alluring savoury, dark berry aromas are carried on soft spiced oak notes. In contrast to the aroma, the palate is bright and bold. Rich dark berries and bright red fruits up front that give way to charcuterie with hints of dark chocolate. Fine, powdery tannins give length and drive to the fruit – all of which elongated by the natural and seamlessly balanced acid that lingers in a velvety finish.
97 Points, Jeni Port, Wine Pilot “Deep purple-garnet. Brings full meaning to the word complexity. Such an evocative, powerful introduction to the wine. Marries a world of aromatic spices of clove, allspice, licorice with light earthy notes, toasty char and abundant blackberry and bramble fruit. The palate has an undeniable intensity and flows easily courtesy of almost gossamer fine tannins. They do a great job bringing balanced structure and elegance. Fleshy plum, black fruits, star anise, tobacco, chocolate bullet and toasty oak build layer upon layer across the palate. Superbly crafted, walks that often difficult line between depth and fineness effortlessly. What a delight. Drink: 2023-2038”
94 points, Erin Larkin, Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion “A fascinating wine: aromatically, this is lush, like chocolate velvet. Sumptuous. In the mouth however, the wine is lighter, finer, and more savoury than expected, making for extraordinarily engaging drinking. Going back to the nose again, there is antique sideboard, salted licorice, raw cocoa, pastrami and peppercorn. It’s got bacon fat, prosciutto and star anise, too. This is spicy, medium weighted, and coming with a swagger of gravitas.”
94+ points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “It’s svelte, it’s full-bodied, it’s beautifully structured and while it’s built on sweet fruit and lots of it, it has a bit of character, a bit of distinction outside of the lines. Ripe plums, florals, peppermint creams, deli meat and graphite flavours all put on a swoon-worthy show before sheets of tannin slide in and take control. It’s immaculate, and it’s very good.”
RRP $112 *Our Special Price $89.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine*
