Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2021 - Canberra, Australia

97/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
96/100 James Suckling
95/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
93/100 The Wine Front
92/100 CellarTracker

97/100 Wine Enthusiast (2019 vintage)
96/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2019 vintage)
95/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2019 vintage)
94/100 The Wine Front (2019 vintage)
94/100 CellarTracker (2019 vintage)

Ranked 4th - James Suckling Top 100 Aussie Wines 2019

James Halliday Best Varietal Awards: 2021 Best Shiraz Viognier Wines

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...a very interesting and impressive trend has emerged.It has notes of rose petals, raspberry leaf tea, brine, licorice root, redcurrant, tobacco leaf and even a hint of orange rind/bergamot. The palate is shaped by very fine tannins that cascade across the mouth, leaving a trail of cocoa nib, clove bud and again with the orange zest/bergamot suggestion. "

James Suckling "Fantastic aromas of dark berry, thyme, white pepper, and lavender. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins that are fine textured, long and persistent that run the length of the wine. Energetic and focused."

Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "There are red and blue fruits in the mix and wafts of warm earth and oak spice. Plus, plenty of fresh herbs and menthol, the latter imparting a cooling sensation. It’s tightly coiled, stony and firm, yet the palate is more medium bodied with supple, fine tannins. An intriguing rendition that’s enjoyable, nonetheless."

Wine Enthusiast "...was one of the first of its kind, ushering in a new era of more delicately aromatic and succulent Shiraz Down Under. It remains a benchmark of the style. The color of cherry juice, it's beautifully perfumed, with aromas of rose petals and white pepper atop earthier, meatier notes. Warm stone undertones back fresh squeezed raspberry, cherry and cranberry juice. In the mouth there's a succulence to the brambly fruit that comes like the pop of a fresh red berry in the mouth. Crunchy acidity and the raspy power of sappy, fine tannins add structure and complexity. " (2019 vintage)

Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "Some wines have such distinct DNA. This is one of them. It packs so many layers of flavour and depth, yet never moves much beyond medium body. It smells of a souk market; spicy, peppery and exotic. It's replete with dark fruit, wood char and a touch of wintergreen. Raw silk tannins matched to a neat acid line give freshness, vibrancy and a promise it will last some distance yet." (2019 vintage)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "warm and dry year with some well-timed summer rain that allowed the vines to produce bright, lively fruit." (2019 vintage)

The Winemaker "There is no doubt 2018 is one of the great vintages. A lower than average crop produced fruit with soaring aromas and intense energy through the palate. “This is phenomenal, so precise and concentrated with such detail and power, delivered with elegance and precision…”

Clonakilla is an Australian winery based in the Canberra wine region of Murrumbateman, New South Wales. Clonakilla was the first commercial winery to open in the region and founder John Kirk is often referred to as the "father" of the wine industry in the area. Clonakilla, which translates as "meadow of the church", are most famous for their Shiraz-Viognier. Wine critic, James Halliday describes Clonakilla as "paving the way for numerous others to follow" and yet that it "remains the icon".

Canberra is a sleeping giant of Australian wine. The ability of this region to produce world-class wines in only a relatively short history is almost second to none in the whole country. With the ability to produce everything from perfumed and tightly wound Syrah, to razor-sharp Riesling and a wide array of emerging varieties and techniques, Canberra will be one of the ‘must-watch’ wine-producing regions in Australia for many years to come.

Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.

Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.