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Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2008

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    It was the "Year’s Best Shiraz" according to Huon Hooke who scored it 96 Points and a long resume positive testimonials. 

    2008 produced large crops of beautifully ripe fruit, a great outcome given the devastating frost the vines experienced just the year before. Upon release, Cambell Mattinson described the 2008 Shiraz Viognier as having 'all its components in place, but isn’t up and running yet.' We are happy to say, this well within its drinking range and still has years to go. As a young wine a was dense, chock-full of blackberry and soy and cherry-plum flavours and with a smattering of gamey spices. We can only imagine what is like now, but we would recommended opening one instead!

    The Shiraz was picked between March 17 and 31. This vintage was comprised of 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier with 20% whole bunches were included in the ferments. A three-day cool, preferment maceration lead into largely un-inoculated ferments with temperatures peaking around the 33⁰ mark. Twelve months in wood, 30% new, with Francois Freres, Sirugue, Taransaud and Mercurey again being our preferred coopers. 

    It was the "Year’s Best Shiraz" according to Huon Hooke who scored it 96 Points and a long resume positive testimonials. 

    2008 produced large crops of beautifully ripe fruit, a great outcome given the devastating frost the vines experienced just the year before. Upon release, Cambell Mattinson described the 2008 Shiraz Viognier as having 'all its components in place, but isn’t up and running yet.' We are happy to say, this well within its drinking range and still has years to go. As a young wine a was dense, chock-full of blackberry and soy and cherry-plum flavours and with a smattering of gamey spices. We can only imagine what is like now, but we would recommended opening one instead!

    The Shiraz was picked between March 17 and 31. This vintage was comprised of 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier with 20% whole bunches were included in the ferments. A three-day cool, preferment maceration lead into largely un-inoculated ferments with temperatures peaking around the 33⁰ mark. Twelve months in wood, 30% new, with Francois Freres, Sirugue, Taransaud and Mercurey again being our preferred coopers. 

    Varietal

    Shiraz, Viognier

    Country

    Australia

    Region

    Canberra, ACT

    Vintage

    2008

    ABV

    14%

    Bottle size

    750ml

    Trusted by the professionals

    Chocolaty bouquet with a hint of mint, a little vanilla, the palate surprisingly big and powerful. A massive wine, full-bodied and complete. Very impressive. Years left in it.

    — Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points

    It’s a dense, headstrong wine, chocked with blackberry, soy, eucalypt and cherry-plum flavours and flecked with trademark pepper spice. It has all its components in place, but it isn’t up and running yet. What strikes you about the wine as a youngster though is its nebbiolo-like shape. I’ve not seen this in a Clonakilla shiraz-viognier before. It’s almost light through the middle, before being strong and authoritative through the finish. Lighter in flavour but stronger in impact, perhaps. It should be great as a mature wine.

    — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points

    As expected the wine is young and buoyant, with a highly fragrant perfume of red fruit, fresh blackberry, violets, roast meat and a little tar; the palate reveals the true potential of this superb wine, with a cascading array of flavours and thrillingly silky tannin, poised acidity and a peacock’s tail on the very long and precise palate.

    — James Halliday

    Clonakilla

    Clonakilla is a family-owned winery with a legacy that dates back to 1971, when Dr. John Kirk, an Irish biochemist, established the vineyard in Murrumbateman, New South Wales. Inspired by a love for wine and an understanding of Australia’s unique climate, Dr. Kirk sought to craft wines that showcased the terroir of the region, sparking a journey that would place Clonakilla among Australia’s most respected wineries. The Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, first produced in 1992 by Dr. Kirk’s son Tim, was inspired by a visit to France’s Côte-Rôtie, where Tim discovered the art of co-fermenting Shiraz with Viognier. This innovation added a distinctive aromatic complexity and finesse to the wine, establishing Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier as an Australian icon.

    Today, Clonakilla is led by Tim Kirk, who, along with his wife Lara, has expanded the winery’s influence while maintaining the family’s dedication to crafting wines that embody elegance, complexity, and a sense of place. The Kirks’ commitment to quality is evident in each vintage, and Clonakilla wines continue to garner acclaim and awards globally. With a range that includes Shiraz Viognier, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Rhône-inspired blends, Clonakilla’s portfolio celebrates the distinct character of each grape variety and vineyard site. The Clonakilla story is one of passion, family heritage, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in winemaking, cementing its reputation as one of Australia’s premier cool-climate wine producers.

    Tasting notes

    NOSE
    Chocolate, Blackberry, Spice

    Chocolaty bouquet with a hint of mint, a little vanilla. Lots of pip and plums with that distinct Canberra spice note.

    PALATE
    Silky Tannin, Powerful, Roast Meat

    A touch of dried herbs, superb oak integration, plush yet powerful tannins, layered, complex.

    FINISH
    Fine, Dried Herbs, Authoritative Finish

    Smooth flavours weave through a long, superfine mouthful, resting on very soft tannins. It develops very well with breathing.