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. — 3 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Meaty aromas - very savoury. See previous notes re this being Bryan Martin’s private venture while still working at Clonakilla with their Shiraz Viognier being the benchmark in the country. Love this Northern Rhone style wine. I was expecting pepper but got more spice and charcuterie. — 3 years ago

Alan Mc Kenna

9.0

One of best wines this year - noir with complexity -
love the fruity jam like textures that remind me of a clonakilla Shiraz lovely wine . — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

This is generally regarded as the best example of Shiraz Viognier in Australia but recently I tried a 2015 Serrat Shiraz Viognier which was the equal of Clonakilla if not better. As per previous Delectable notes this bottle had the trademark dried spices, cloves a trace of pepper and dried meat. Barely medium weight and always a joy to drink. My last bottle. — 3 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.4

I am always looking for a good Australian Viognier. Well I have found another one. Up there with Yeringberg and Clonakilla for quality. Gorgeous floral nose followed by a rich plump palate with subtle spice. Lovely. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Quite fulsome and dense for a 15 year old Rhone - but it is Jaboulet La Chapelle. Probably opened too early - I only have one other. Ripe black fruits, some smoky notes, a touch of pepper. A little square sided on the full bodied palate. A Syrah with excellent potential but not worth the $417AUD I paid to be honest. One would be better off with 3 bottles of Clonakilla Shiraz/Viognier and some change in your pocket. — 3 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! — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Delectable - this was the Viognier not the Nouveau Viognier which Is offered in the database. Pale lemon - bright and clean. Aromatics of orange blossom with faint ginger notes. Medium weight with medium plus palate intensity. Again, a good winter white. A bit hot for a white at 14.5% ABV but it works when it’s cold. The wine was barrel fermented with a year on lees in French Oak which has been totally absorbed into the wine. An excellent new World Viognier. Have the last one in 2024. — 3 years ago

Steven Lee

9.3

xmas drinks. does not taste like shiraz. floral, mineral and herby but degrades after a while. quite smooth and complex — 4 years ago

Thayer Parker

9.6

Lighter in colour than I expected. Very fruity initial hit. Very pleasant and easy to drink. — 5 years ago