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