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Halliday’s Top 100 – 98 points – 2017 Shiraz Viognier

David Reist,

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.”

What a year!

David Reist,

2015 has been quite a year at Clonakilla.

We were pretty excited when our 2015 Riesling won four trophies at the Canberra Regional Wine Show, including White Wine of the Show and Wine of the Show. Even more exciting for us was the fact that the wine the Riesling pipped at the post to win White Wine of the Show was the 2015 Viognier Nouveau which had already won the trophy for Best Dry White – Other Varieties and/or Blends.

2015 was generous in yield as well as fantastic quality, so it was just as well we got our winery extensions finished in time for vintage (only just!)

We will be releasing a swag of 2015s through the course of next year. You will have to come and taste them at our new cellar door when it opens. We’re shooting for March at this stage. Fingers crossed… For now however, check out the Clonakilla wall (photo below) that will be the first thing you see as you drive up to the winery.

In international news, Clonakilla seems to be making quite an impact in the UK. Decanter magazine included a five page spread on Clonakilla in their August edition, written by the brilliant Huon Hooke. Jancis Robinson was so kind as to nominate the Hilltops Shiraz as her wine of the week back in early October. She loved the SV as well of course. Read all about it.

Then in the Christmas edition of Decanter we made it on to the front cover as one of the ‘50 Star Buys of 2015’. For the record, the Shiraz Viognier came in at number 2.

A new release for you just in time for Christmas. The 2014 O’Riada Shiraz.
We like to think of the O’Riada as classic Canberra District Shiraz. It is a perfect wine to introduce people to this exciting new style Aus Shiraz.

The critics have given it a big thumbs up:

“This has class stamped all over it…a sparkling river of dark fruits that run from the tip of the tongue through to the elegant, but oh so complex, finish and aftertaste. Exhilarating.” – James Halliday

“Canberra region magic. Black pepper, dark fruit, lavender, exotic spice… with superfine texture and superb tannin balance.” – Ralph Kyte-Powell

“The bouquet is complex and spicy… supple and savoury, gentle in mouth-feel and finely balanced, with a long and satisfying aftertaste.” – Huon Hooke

Please note that we will cease shipping on Thursday the 17th of December and will resume on the 4th of January. Also, the cellar door will be closed December 24-27, 31 & January 1.

With kind regards to you and your family in this Christmas season,

Tim Kirk

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Champion Wine of the Show

David Reist,

Some exciting news.

There is only one wine show we enter: the Canberra Regional Show.

Chairman of judges Mike Bennie and his crack judging team have awarded the 2015 Clonakilla Riesling a gold medal and four trophies:

Champion Wine of the Show, Best Canberra Riesling, Best Riesling and Best White.

In winning Best White, the Riesling only narrowly beat the 2015 Viognier Nouveau, which won a gold medal and the trophy for Best Dry White – Other Varieties and/or Blends.

Needless to say, since the news broke, our cellar door has been over-run with many of our local customers getting in on the action.

We love seeing our supporters at the cellar door of course, but you can buy them here and we’ll deliver them to your door.

Warm regards,

Tim Kirk

Spring Releases now available

David Reist,

Welcome to the first day of Spring – new vintage release day at Clonakilla.

We are delighted to be able to share with you our 2015 Riesling, 2014 Hilltops Shiraz and the majestic 2014 Shiraz Viognier.

The 2014 Shiraz Viognier is a perfect follow up to the stellar 2013. It’s fragrant and intense, from a season that had everything.

‘Rose petals and more rose petals – fragrant dark cherry too. The palate is so opulent and supple, with almost unbelievable length and finesse.’ ?????- Lester Jesberg – Winewise

‘… modern classic, setting the bar for the co-fermented blend…96 points’ – Halliday Wine Companion 2016

‘Power, finesse, complexity and thick ribs of tannin…95 points’ – Campbell Mattinson – Wine Front

The 2015 Riesling is our 40th vintage and the first made using 100% whole bunch pressing in our new German made Europress.

‘…could be the best of the 40 vintages made to date. 96 points‘ – Chris Shanahan – The Canberra Times

‘This wine may set a new standard for the region. It’s as pure as the driven snow… ?????.’ – Lester Jesberg – Winewise

The 2014 Hilltops is our ripest, blackest Hilltops Shiraz since the epic 2009.

‘…full to the brim with saturnine black fruits…95 points’ – Halliday Wine Companion 2016

‘…ready to rip now but with the balance and tannin to see it mature for many a year. 93 points’ – Campbell Mattinson – Wine Front

I think you’re going to love these new wines.

In a couple of weeks we will announce our Clonakilla dinner series venues and dates for 2015.

Warm regards,

Tim Kirk

2013 Shiraz Viognier Magnums available now

David Reist,

I dare say you will roll your eyes, but I just have to recount some of what the critics have said about the 2013 Shiraz Viognier:

“… A magical wine, probably the best ever under this label. 97 points” – Huon Hooke

“… gloriously exotic, yet at every moment distinguished, effortless and refined… 98 points” – Tyson Stelzer

“… the iron fist in the velvet glove… glorious fragrance… silky and prodigiously long… 98 points” – James Halliday

“… like a ballet in your mouth… 98 points if I scored” – Winsor Dobbin

“… Possibly the best Australian Shiraz I have ever tasted.” – Will Lyon, Wall Street Journal

The 2013 Shiraz Viognier magnum is available now for immediate delivery, in our lovely new magnum boxes.

Warm regards,

Tim Kirk