Clonakilla
Canberra District Shiraz Viognier
Canberra District, Southern New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
No note on Delectable since May 2017 - 473 weeks ago. Smoked meat, Asian spices - an intoxicating nose. On the medium bodied palate - sweet red fruits with spices. Tim Kirk, the owner and winemaker said at the time it was the best Shiraz Viognier he had ever made for what is considered the benchmark for this blend in Australia. 98 points from HH and 18.5 points+ from Jancis. Very detailed as you would expect from Tim Kirk.
No note on Delectable since May 2017 - 473 weeks ago. Smoked meat, Asian spices - an intoxicating nose. On the medium bodied palate - sweet red fruits with spices. Tim Kirk, the owner and winemaker said at the time it was the best Shiraz Viognier he had ever made for what is considered the benchmark for this blend in Australia. 98 points from HH and 18.5 points+ from Jancis. Very detailed as you would expect from Tim Kirk.
Jun 28th, 2026
A masculine showing of this wine today, vintage traits perhaps?
Generally known as a vibrant and balanced wine but today a little heavy handed.
How amazing is wine!?
A masculine showing of this wine today, vintage traits perhaps?
Generally known as a vibrant and balanced wine but today a little heavy handed.
How amazing is wine!?
Australia's premium Shiraz Viognier blend and Tim Kirk says this is the best one he has ever made. I have been buying since the 2001 vintage. This is a cracking cool climate Shiraz blend showing florals Spice and a hint of pepper. Palate is restrained - more the weight of Pinot than Shiraz. Intensity without weight- Fluid, beautiful finishing with fine persistent tannins- 15 years stretching ahead of it. More whole bunch than the early vintages like many Aussie Shiraz producers these days. David Le Mire MW said whole bunch serves to lower the alcohol and increase the pH. Gives a "Tea" character with Stem tannins adding to the finish.
Australia's premium Shiraz Viognier blend and Tim Kirk says this is the best one he has ever made. I have been buying since the 2001 vintage. This is a cracking cool climate Shiraz blend showing florals Spice and a hint of pepper. Palate is restrained - more the weight of Pinot than Shiraz. Intensity without weight- Fluid, beautiful finishing with fine persistent tannins- 15 years stretching ahead of it. More whole bunch than the early vintages like many Aussie Shiraz producers these days. David Le Mire MW said whole bunch serves to lower the alcohol and increase the pH. Gives a "Tea" character with Stem tannins adding to the finish.
May 29th, 2017
I found this very difficult to rate. Seemed somewhat unbalanced. There were great aspects like dark and red fruits and a hint of pepper but then despite a light feeling very heavy intensity. It felt like everything i liked was there but for some reason i didn't like it...wierd
I found this very difficult to rate. Seemed somewhat unbalanced. There were great aspects like dark and red fruits and a hint of pepper but then despite a light feeling very heavy intensity. It felt like everything i liked was there but for some reason i didn't like it...wierd
Apr 3rd, 2022
Holy smokes! Really need to get myself a bottle. B&S summed up the wine perfectly:
This is near immaculate. Match a consistently revered wine with a once-in-a-lifetime vintage and what you get is a rare and illusive gem.
Perfectly warm days and cool, steady nights allowed for ideal growing conditions in Clonakilla’s famed vineyards. With the ability to pick fruit at their own leisure, Tim Kirk and his team gained full fruit ripeness, balanced phenolic complexity and even increased the whole bunches to 30% for each ferment. The sensorial odyssey begins with perfumed florals and aromas of spice, charcuterie and wild herbs; before bright red and blue berries emerge on the palate. There’s a line of savoury richness which seamlessly interplays with the wine’s elegant tannin structure, however, what truly marks the experience is the complexity that each mouthful delivers. An immediate classic.
Holy smokes! Really need to get myself a bottle. B&S summed up the wine perfectly:
This is near immaculate. Match a consistently revered wine with a once-in-a-lifetime vintage and what you get is a rare and illusive gem.
Perfectly warm days and cool, steady nights allowed for ideal growing conditions in Clonakilla’s famed vineyards. With the ability to pick fruit at their own leisure, Tim Kirk and his team gained full fruit ripeness, balanced phenolic complexity and even increased the whole bunches to 30% for each ferment. The sensorial odyssey begins with perfumed florals and aromas of spice, charcuterie and wild herbs; before bright red and blue berries emerge on the palate. There’s a line of savoury richness which seamlessly interplays with the wine’s elegant tannin structure, however, what truly marks the experience is the complexity that each mouthful delivers. An immediate classic.
Utterly delicious. So supple and succulent.
Utterly delicious. So supple and succulent.
Oct 19th, 2016