Bob McDonald

9.5

A gorgeous nose from the inclusion of Viognier- Violets and spices ( cinnamon and cloves). Any waiting to submit? I can continue! On the medium bodied palate there is white pepper together with red fruits and the spices mentioned earlier on the nose. Probably Australia’s best Shiraz Viognier - up there with Serrat. See previous Delectable notes - my last bottle of the 2010. — 6 days ago

Flinders Doyle

10

Nice toasty sparkling. One of my favorites — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

A Collection of great Australian Reds - Christmas break up of the Tennis Group. This or the Wynns Centenary would have been the WOTN. A Delicious balanced mature claret showing leather spice with noticeable mocha , like coffee grounds. Cruising at 32 years and will sit on the plateau for a while yet. The Reserve was the forerunner to what Yalumba now call The Caley which is now their flagship. A top shelf Cabernet Shiraz from a great vintage utilising Yalumba’s extensive vineyard resources. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz 2023
Canberra District, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A cool-climate Shiraz sourced from Clonakilla’s estate vineyards and selected sites in Murrumbateman and Hall, delivering a layered, elegant, and highly approachable expression of Canberra District Syrah. Rather than power and heat, this wine emphasizes aromatic lift, red-fruit purity, and graceful structure, shaped by the region’s clay-driven soils and precise ripening conditions.

Aromas & Flavors
Highly perfumed aromatics jump from the glass with vibrant red berries, cranberry, fresh plum skin, and subtle floral tones. The palate mirrors the nose beautifully, offering juicy red cherry, gentle spice, and soft earthy undertones with excellent clarity and progression. Everything feels expressive yet controlled, with freshness driving the overall balance.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, silky, and energetic. The texture is smooth and polished with fine tannins and lively acidity, giving the wine a graceful flow across the palate. Approachable and effortless to drink without sacrificing depth or finesse.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops with herbs. Roast chicken with mushroom jus. Charcuterie and soft aged cheeses. Duck breast with cherry reduction. Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

Verdict
A refined, cool-climate Shiraz that feels more about elegance than intensity. Perfumed, vibrant, and beautifully composed, this is a wine that delivers complexity without heaviness, polished, expressive, and quietly impressive.

Did You Know?
Canberra District sits at higher elevation with cooler nights than many Australian regions, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness in Shiraz. Clay-based soils help regulate water stress and promote slow, even ripening, contributing to purity and balance rather than overt ripeness.

🍷 Personal Pick
I love when a wine smells exactly like it tastes — this one delivers pure harmony between nose and palate. Youthful, vibrant, impossible to stop at one glass, and deceptively elegant. A dangerous crowd-pleaser with real finesse. — 4 months ago

Helen Arvanitopoulos

9.3

A beautiful Canberra Shiraz I had with an amazing T Bone steak up in the blue mountains in front of an open fireplace. Beyond. — 3 years ago

Travis W

9.0

Top shelf Riesling. Aging beautifully. Drank over two days. Love aged Canberra district Riesling. Generally I've found that they need at least a decade to integrate. Balance of citrus fruits and talc. So different from Eden and Clare. This will go another decade easily. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See several previous Delectable notes for this wine. This is my last bottle. A lovely mature Riesling developing Kerosene and toasty honey notes. The Canberra district is an ideal district for quality Riesling with neighbours Helm, also a reliable excellent producer. This wine won best Canberra Riesling, Best Riesling, Best White, and Champion Wine of the Show at the Canberra Regional Wine Show. A full house of Trophies! — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid straw yellow in colour. After 10 years still no sign of TDN. Aromas of lime and talc. Ken Helm of Helm wines in the Canberra district would say these are well handled Riesling grapes from a cool growing season where no petro chemical notes have developed. He believes kero/petrol aromas are a wine fault and caused by sunburnt grapes. On the palate lime flavours, a touch of honey and finishes with a slight saline note. Fresh and crisp even in its old age. Proves again that the Clare Valley is perfect for Riesling. Delectable: Taylor’s is the producer. — 8 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Second bottle of this vintage in my cellar. Better than the first, more fruit and spice, still very lively. So wish it was under screw cap. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Ravensworth is the private venture of Bryan Martin who is the winemaker together with Tim Kirk, at the nearby and famous Clonakilla - arguably the benchmark for Shiraz Viognier in Australia. Wonderful spicy scents together with a floral note from the Viognier. Medium weight with meaty, savoury spicy flavours on the palate. My kind of Shiraz blend and in the frame of Clonakilla with better QPR. — 5 years ago