Clonakilla
Hilltops Shiraz
Canberra District, Southern New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
Rich but well balanced. Drank just 3 yrs after vintage and astonishing beautiful velvety texture and well balanced richness. purple hue, well ripen black cherry and blackberry with liquorice and spices, a touch of vanilla and complex green note.
Rich but well balanced. Drank just 3 yrs after vintage and astonishing beautiful velvety texture and well balanced richness. purple hue, well ripen black cherry and blackberry with liquorice and spices, a touch of vanilla and complex green note.
May 25th, 2020
I still can't quite get my palate around Hilltops. Young or old. It's obviously not for me as loads of my mates love drinking my Hilltops but I can never quite get it. Ooh well. This bottle was in excellent nick after 13 years... but. :-)
I still can't quite get my palate around Hilltops. Young or old. It's obviously not for me as loads of my mates love drinking my Hilltops but I can never quite get it. Ooh well. This bottle was in excellent nick after 13 years... but. :-)
May 12th, 2018
Found this in a forgotten corner of my cellar. For an entry level red which cost about $25 I wondered how it would be holding up at 14 years - particularly when the label says “would benefit from 4 to 8 years in a cool cellar””. It was a marvellous cool climate Shiraz showing plum and pepper with silky tannins. Sometimes I think Producers underestimate the cellaring potential because they want you to buy the current vintage and not cellar the earlier vintages for 15 years plus. A great effort for the price.
Found this in a forgotten corner of my cellar. For an entry level red which cost about $25 I wondered how it would be holding up at 14 years - particularly when the label says “would benefit from 4 to 8 years in a cool cellar””. It was a marvellous cool climate Shiraz showing plum and pepper with silky tannins. Sometimes I think Producers underestimate the cellaring potential because they want you to buy the current vintage and not cellar the earlier vintages for 15 years plus. A great effort for the price.
1 person found it helpfulJan 22nd, 2018Varietal to a tee. Black sauce and white pepper. Drink in a cave.
Varietal to a tee. Black sauce and white pepper. Drink in a cave.
1 person found it helpfulOct 1st, 2014Clonakilla's entry level Shiraz cuvée from the relatively newer viticultural area of Hilltops near the town of Young in NSW. Combines the cool climate notes of spice with a little pepper with an M+ palate of plums and spice. Good mouthfeel and weight for a cool climate Shiraz. Also great QPR at around $30 or less.
Clonakilla's entry level Shiraz cuvée from the relatively newer viticultural area of Hilltops near the town of Young in NSW. Combines the cool climate notes of spice with a little pepper with an M+ palate of plums and spice. Good mouthfeel and weight for a cool climate Shiraz. Also great QPR at around $30 or less.
Jun 15th, 2017
Highly entertaining while lacking the usual Clonakilla race and zip. Nonetheless an xlnt effort from a hot, challenging vintage.
Highly entertaining while lacking the usual Clonakilla race and zip. Nonetheless an xlnt effort from a hot, challenging vintage.
Feb 7th, 2016Have liked many previous vintages of this including the 2004 which proved it could be cellared 10+ years. This was restrained to the point of lacking fruit definition. Reasonable meaty peppery spicy nose. Have had better examples.
Have liked many previous vintages of this including the 2004 which proved it could be cellared 10+ years. This was restrained to the point of lacking fruit definition. Reasonable meaty peppery spicy nose. Have had better examples.
Jan 13th, 2016
Fun Vino, better second day, primary juby fruit developed, would love to see this with a few more months in old oak to develop it pre-bottling. Some serious effort has gone into texture. Great balance, lacking the mid-palate & finish it needs to take it to the next level #FilthyGoodVino c$35 @BocaccioVino
Fun Vino, better second day, primary juby fruit developed, would love to see this with a few more months in old oak to develop it pre-bottling. Some serious effort has gone into texture. Great balance, lacking the mid-palate & finish it needs to take it to the next level #FilthyGoodVino c$35 @BocaccioVino
Dec 22nd, 2013
Silky tannins, syrupy. Strawberries and raspberries. Red cherries and licorice. But of peppery heat. Leafy on the palate. For the pricepoint, a great drop.
Silky tannins, syrupy. Strawberries and raspberries. Red cherries and licorice. But of peppery heat. Leafy on the palate. For the pricepoint, a great drop.
Jun 26th, 2021