2006 Shiraz/Viognier Canberra District
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Tasting notes
There are shades of 2021 in this wine. In fact, that might be because 2006 and 2021 were my favored wines in the lineup (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021) for similar reasons. This 2006 Shiraz Viognier is fresh, restrained and oh-so-composed. Nary a hair out of place, this wine sails, soundlessly, over the palate and into the smooth, long finish. There is, of course, the savory, meaty hints that link these wines with an undeniable thread, but the characters are so expertly woven into the very fabric of the wine. Excellent winter and spring rains set up another very good growing season and a slightly larger than average crop. There is the usual 6% co-fermented Viognier in this 2006, with 32% new oak, not that the oak is evident in the glass now. As an aside, the bottle suggests a drinking window of "5 to 10 years." I think it's best we all ignore the bottle suggestion, no? This is only about 16 years shy of its potential, and even I may be being cautious. This is a very special wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
This 2006 Shiraz Viognier is still youthful and embryonic, filled with glorious red cherry, aged meat and violet aromas. It then takes a distinctly savoury turn thanks to layers of earthy, spicy, black cherry fruits wound up in a rich core of lacy tannins that support a long, sustained finish. Drinking well but not yet at its peak, needing a few more years to flesh out.
6% Viognier. Sweet fruit, perfumed. Soft and velvety but still with a fine smooth grip. The palest of the five wines tasted blind in this flight. Peppery and very fine on the finish. Beautifully scented on the mid palate. Very distinctive and delicious. (JH)
Saturated ruby-red. Bright, pungently aromatic nose displays vivid red and dark berry scents, with sexy floral and incense qualities adding interest. Finishes with a kick of cracked pepper and Asian spices, lingering impressively. I have no doubt that this will age effortlessly but it's delicious right now.
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.