O'Riada Shiraz 2015

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.

Is there such a thing as a perfect vintage?

If such a year existed it would provide good early summer rain to give the vines a source to draw on through the summer heat.

A good crop of grapes on a moderately vigorous canopy of healthy leaves.

An even, extended ripening season, warm but not excessively hot, windy or wet. 2015 delivered all these and more.