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.
Murrumbateman’s cool, continental climate and decomposed granite soils are also perfectly suited to Riesling.
About the 2023 from the winery: “The 2023 season saw the long tail of La Nina deliver a cool, rain-soaked spring and the latest harvest since 2011. The third in a series of cool vintages, it delivered beautiful Riesling fruit from our estate vines. Genuine summer heat finally arrived in January followed by a (mostly) sunny autumn. The warmth made all the difference. The long, slow ripening season produced striking aromas; think white flowers, citrus blossom and mandarin. The brilliant acid structure anchors and frames the fruit sweetness. Bright floral notes and citrus fruit power here. Drink now or cellar for up to 20 years and watch it develop lime and toast characters with age.”
This is brand new release! 97 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review “La Nina delivered “a cool, rain-soaked spring and the latest harvest since 2011”, says proprietor Tim Kirk.
Intense floral, jasmine-like and yeasty fragrance: the heightened perfume of a cool-year riesling. It’s also delicate and fine in the mouth, with a touch of well-judged sweetness. A thoroughly beautiful riesling, lovely now and destined for a bright future. This off-dry style seems like the natural product of a cool, late season.”
95 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “Latest harvest since 2011. Brilliant flavour and length. Apple, steel, florals and lime with a lemonade-like character thereabouts. Both the texture and the flavour are bang on here. It’s a gorgeous drink.”
RRP $38 Our Price $33.99 – LAST OF THIS VINTAGE!
(New Vintage also available? Click here for Special Buy)
