Description
What a remarkable jouney 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.
Riesling flourishes and this 2017 is top shelf!
From Tim Kirk, winemaker: “Murrumbateman’s cool, continental climate and decomposed granite soils are perfectly suited to Riesling. The 2017 vintage was built on the wettest winter and early spring that any of us can remember, followed by a beautiful warm and dry summer. We picked generous crops of perfectly ripened grapes.
Drink now for its pristine floral, citrus-edged fruit or cellar for up to 15 years and watch it develop lime and toast characters with age. 12.5% Alc/Vol”
95 points, James Halliday “Reinforces the truth that newly born riesling of high quality can speak as an adult, the grainy acidity of the palate one mode of communication, the depth of the citrus fruit another, filling in the gaps where needed. But none of this is intended to suggest there is any premature ageing – there is none, and the wine has a sure 15-year future etched in stone.”
Huon Hooke “Fresh, youthful, restrained aromas of white pepper and other spices over lemon and citrus palate flavours. The wine is crisp and alive in the mouth with freshness and tang promising to reward even a few months more in the bottle. It’s a baby. Very good potential. Drink 2019 to 2030″
93 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front: “Canberra riesling is on the ascendancy, and Clonakilla is a key exponent. Such an enjoyable riesling to drink. No minor thing. It tastes of lime and candied lemon, slate and red apple, the flow of flavour both elegant and satisfying. That hint of candied/sweet character sits beautifully with the drier, more slate-like aspects. Excellent tang to the finish too. It impresses but mostly it just tastes good. Buy.”
Winsor Dobbin “Clonakilla is renowned for the consistent quality of its benchmark shiraz viognier, but the Murrumbateman winery is also building a solid reputation for the reliability of its outstanding riesling. For several vintages now Clonakilla has offered a serious challenge to the supremacy of the Clare Valley for top-notch rieslings. This is particularly fresh and zingy with lovely florals and bright citrus flavours ranging from lemon/lime to grapefruit. Throw in some bright natural acidity and tremendous length and you have a dry riesling of real appeal. This will also develop deliciously if you have patience.”
Chris Shanahan: “… a scrumptious dry riesling with vivid, lemon-like varietal flavour, intensified by the taut, zingy dryness of the naturally high acidity.”
RRP $39
(Also available as 6 pack buy – click here)
