2017 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier

We were delighted to see our 2017 Shiraz Viognier named in James Halliday’s Top 100 a few weeks ago. What made it even better was that it was the second Top 100 list in which the wine has appeared. On Monday last week the 2017 Shiraz Viognier secured a place in James Suckling’s Top 100 – this time up against international benchmarks. On both occasions the wine scored 98 points. James Halliday’s review: “…Tim Kirk nails it when he writes of a line of pure spice running through the bouquet and palate – I would simply add “and the aftertaste” because this has superb length and texture, replete with red berry flavours.” Nick Stock for James Suckling:
“One of the greatest vintages of this wine. It has a super complex array of white and black peppers, hard brown spices, leaves, flowers and fresh wet earth, as well as graphite-like dark stony notes… The palate is delivered with steady elegance and power, showing unwavering build and a seemingly never-ending trail of fresh and spicy fruit flavors. With the most immaculate tannins, too. The real soul of this wine shines through in this perfectly simpatico vintage. Fascinating to drink now, but it is best to give it some time. Try around 2025.”

The 2017 vintage was built on the wettest winter and early spring that any of us can remember. The early rain turned out to be a blessing, given the warm and generally dry summer that followed.

After the heat of 2016 the more moderate conditions in 2017 made for an unhurried, steady ripening with layers of aroma and texture being built up along the way. In other words, a typical cool-climate year. Classically medium bodied with a line of pure spice running through rose garden and ripe red berry aromatics.

“This is a quiet, controlled, deeply spiritual wine with a never-ending finish and a spell-binding timbre which will resonate for a decade or two with ease. It is classic Clonakilla, classic Tim, classic Shiraz / Viognier.” – Matthew Jukes – Top 100 Australian Wines 2019/20

“Tim Kirk nails it when he writes of a line of pure spice running through the bouquet and palate – I would simply add ‘and the aftertaste’ because this has superb length and texture, replete with red berry flavours. Clonakilla at its best.” – James Halliday