2019 Shiraz/Viognier Canberra District
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Shiraz Viognier is from a low-yielding (down around 15% to 20%), warm and dry year with some well-timed summer rain that allowed the vines to produce bright, lively fruit. The warm year brought higher alcohol with it (14.6% alcohol as opposed to the 13.2% of 2021), but the same 6% Viognier inclusion remains. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak. Where the 2021 is bright, delicate and lacy, this 2019 is denser, muscular and layered with dark, brooding, exotic spices, cocoa nib, licorice root, roasted meat rind and tobacco leaf. In the mouth, the tannins are the most pertinent feature: still powdery fine and shapely, earthy (black) and savory. At no point does any feature of the wine break ranks. There are no strays, no breakaways; this is seamless and contained from all angles. It is an astounding wine and proof that very quickly after release these wines morph into shades of what they will become in older age.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
This 2019 vintage of Shiraz Viognier spent a full 18 months in French oak, rather than the standard 12 months, crafting a particularly robust and powerful wine. It’s incredibly impressive and perfectly formed as it bursts with dark berry fruits, black pepper, smoke and meat beautifully framed by high-quality oak. Fantastic density and energy follow with waves of youthful fruit full of vitality, all supported by ample tannins through to an incredibly long finish. A standout that is built for the cellar.
94% Shiraz, 6% Viognier. Youthful nose and a little shy at the moment. Ripe dark fruits and firm tannins, beautifully put together and has real depth – needs a long time. (AC)
About the producer
The Kirk family’s winery was one of the first to put Murrumbateman Shiraz on the fine wine map. Founded in 1971, Clonakilla pioneered this cool-climate region and today the estate produces some of the finest Shiraz in Australia and the world, inspired by the styles of the Northern Rhône.