Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2019

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It can benefit from decanting.

Clonakilla is a family owned winery located in the Canberra district and led by Tim Kirk. Considered a true icon of the Australian wine scene, it has been a major player in the wine revolution in the cold climate regions of Australia from the very beginning. The winery was founded in 1971 by Tim's grandfather, Dr. John Kirk who planted the Clonakilla vineyard in Murrumbateman, 40 kilometers north of Canberra.

Tim Kirk, after his travels and tastings in the Rhône Valley, took the reins of the company in the 90s. Inspired by the wines of the Côte-Rôtie, he began to include a small amount of Viognier in the Clonakilla Shiraz. This is the winery's most iconic and representative wine, produced with a careful selection of the best Shiraz and Viognier grapes from the Murrumbateman vineyard, located 600 meters above sea level. The harvest is done by hand. The Shiraz grapes are co-fermented with 6% of Viognier, with a four-week stay on the skins. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak.

Shiraz Viognier Clonakilla is an intensely aromatic wine with generous aromas of ripe red berries, roses, violets, and integrated notes of spices. In the mouth, it has flavors of ripe red fruit, a medium body, excellent softness, and soft tannins. It is elegant yet powerful, with a superb texture and exceptional length. Try it with beef brisket or venison.