2016 O'Riada Shiraz

Sean O’Riada is one of the heroes of modern Ireland. A talented musician and composer, he is credited with taking traditional Irish music out of the kitchens and pubs of Ireland and putting it on the concert stages of the world. He died, prematurely, in 1971, the year Clonakilla was established by John Kirk. He was John’s cousin.

The 2016 vintage was generous and early. Late summer temperatures were consistently warmer than average and the vines produced some of the most intense dark berry fruit we have seen from the Canberra District.

The O’Riada is made from fruit picked from our estate vineyard and other excellent sites in Murrumbateman and Hall. It’s a quintessential Canberra Shiraz. Ripe red berries and plenty of spice.

There is a masterful and utterly harmonious blend of dark fruits, warm spices, ripe tannins and French oak.

masterful and utterly harmonious

The very large X-factor is its freshness, which will underwrite its very long life.

James Halliday

It’s another beauty. So pretty, so well fruited, so well managed as it ripples through the mouth. It tastes of peanuts and chocolate, black cherries and anise. It has a floral lift. It’s succulent.

It’s another beauty

Tannin is superfine. Oak is high quality and entirely positive. It needs a little time to come together but there’s no question over this wine’s quality. No hesitation in placing a ‘buy’ recommendation.

Campbell Mattinson

Deepish red/purple colour with a fragrant herb, lightly spicy and charmingly floral bouquet, which is at a remove from the simple grapy styles. The wine comes into its own on the palate, where it is