Of the many beautiful Canberra shirazes produced in 2015, nothing equalled Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier. But the coming release of Clonakilla Syrah 2015 on 27 April, throws down a mighty challenge to the district’s world-renowned benchmark. Tim Kirk, son of Clonakilla founder John Kirk, made the first Syrah in 2006 as an alternative style to the … Continue reading Clonakilla Syrah 2015 – a beautiful Canberra shiraz
Collector Shoreline Rosé 2016 Hall, Canberra District, NSW $24 Alex McKay makes his savoury, dry rosé from sangiovese grapes grown in the comparatively warm Hall sub-region. Even rosé sceptics like yours truly find much to like in this one. The pale pink, slightly bronze-edged colour suggests more than just fruit, though it has that in … Continue reading Wine review – Collector, Long Rail Gully, Clonakilla, Freeman
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2015 Clonakilla vineyard, Murrumbateman, Canberra District $96 Even among all the sensational 2015 vintage Canberra shirazes, Clonakilla’s flagship shiraz viognier retains its number one position. Three times in the past four months it topped tastings I attended. Away from the austerity of the tasting bench, it seduced and thrilled recently at Aubergine … Continue reading Wine review – Clonakilla, Summerhill Road, McWilliams Tumbarumba, Long Rail Gully
Clonakilla Canberra District Riesling 2016 $30–$38 Mid-30s ripening temperatures generally drive down grape acidity levels. However, Tim Kirk believes 90mm of rain ahead of 2016’s February–March heat wave gave the vines resilience to produce intense riesling flavours and the lowest pH in Clonakilla’s history. Beautiful floral and citrus varietal aroma and flavour, a gentle, round … Continue reading Wine review – Clonakilla, Ravensworth, Mount Majura, Nick O’Leary
Best’s Great Western Foudre Riesling 2015 Best’s Concongella Vineyard, Great Western, Grampians, Victoria $35 In 2012 as Adam Wadewitz handed over winemaking to Justin Purser, a 2500-litre oak vat showed up in Best’s winery, to the surprise of owner Viv Thomson. As best they could, the winemakers scoured the new, woody flavour from the foudre … Continue reading Wine review – Best’s, Clonakilla, Ross Hill, Rymill, Ad Hoc
Clonakilla Canberra District Pinot Noir 2015 $55 Until 2014 Clonakilla blended its pinot away into other wines. But now it stands on its own, albeit in tiny quantities made from 777 and 115 clones Tim Kirk planted recently, and an unidentified clone his father John planted in 1978. The wine shows the ripe flavours and … Continue reading Wine review – Clonakilla, Thorn-Clarke, West Cape Howe
Clonakilla Ceoltoiri 2015 Clonakilla vineyard, Murrumbateman, Canberra District, NSW $45 Clonakilla’s push into Rhone Valley wine styles began with shiraz and now extends into varieties once thought to be too late ripening for the Canberra climate. However, in warm seasons like 2015, grenache, mourvedre and cinsault ripen fully and join shiraz in the fragrant, light-coloured … Continue reading Wine review – Clonakilla, Craggy Range, Tate, Yalumba, Jacob’s Creek
Clonakilla Canberra District Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015 $22–$25 We know Clonakilla best for its cutting edge shiraz-viognier blend, shiraz, riesling and viognier. But like many small vignerons, the Kirk family grows many other grape varieties – some planted in the early years to test the region’s potential, and others to meet consumer demand. Sauvignon blanc … Continue reading Wine reviews – Clonakilla, Hay Shed Hill and Pikes
Clonakilla Riesling 2015 Murrumbateman, Canberra District, NSW $30–$35 The first of Canberra’s 2015 vintage whites flowing onto the market gives us an opportunity to judge the merits of a much-loved season. As the last of the grapes rolled in earlier this year, Ken Helm declared, “The 2015 has outdone even 2013. It ticked every box … Continue reading Wine reviews – Clonakilla, Damien Coquelet, Huia, Pizzini and Pikes
Ravensworth Nebbiolo 2014 Hilltops, NSW $35 As winemaker Bryan Martin and photographer David Reist launched their book, Tongue and Cheek, in March, guests quaffed Martin’s just-released 2014 nebbiolo. At its best, the Piedmontese variety makes lighter coloured, highly fragrant reds of great power and elegance, with firm tannins that outgrip even those of cabernet sauvignon. … Continue reading Wine review – Ravensworth, Clonakilla, Helm, Eden Road, Ross Hill and Brangayne