2015 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier

Co-fermented with 5% Viognier from the near perfect 2015 season that winemaker Tim Kirk ranks as one of their best, remarking about this wine ‘A grand cru if ever we have made one.’ Deep dark red black colour with a bright purple red hue. Perfumed aromatics of violets, red cherries, raspberries and liquorice gracefully blossom from the glass followed by lightly toasted cedar, subtle dried apricot, some meatiness and light spicy pepper end notes. Elegant and long with superb structure, the refined medium bodied palate has savoury flavours of ripe red cherries, raspberries and liquorice infused with subtle nuances of incense, clove, dried apricot, meaty characters and spicy bite on the finish. With bright acidity and finely tuned tannins it possesses that classic Clonakilla power without weight hallmark. Long aftertaste of liquorice of liquorice, spicy red cherries, red raspberries, smoked meats, incense infusions and a light dusting of pepper.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc 14%

Other Reviews….
It's rare to see a syrah-based wine that delivers power in such an elegant way. 2015 is a really impressive vintage for Clonakilla across the board and this, the flagship wine, is every bit as great as it should be. The aromatic spectrum is vast, from fine musky florals to white pepper and almost every imaginable spice. Then there's an incredibly exuberant explosion of fruit: boysenberries, raspberries, cherries of every shade, and plums covering everything from red to blue to purple hues; it is full of life. The palate has an incredibly deep draw, displaying a total saturation of ripe red- cherry, raspberry and red- plum flavors, chocolate and a dusting of white pepper. The tannins radiate light and energetic bright from start to finish. Perfectly ripe, seamlessly balanced and actually very approachable. Drink it now, but there's plenty to come in time; this will be best from 2022.
99 points
JamesSuckling.com

Great season for growing grapes if you had your ducks in a row in Canberra District. Last visit to Clonakilla I did a broad tasting of components that go into the Shiraz Viognier and I was taken back by how many parts make up the whole – it’s a very intricate wine, takes TLC of the highest order to come together. The 2015 wine sees higher than usual whole bunch component (and it is notable, and a very good inclusion) in the ferment, with 20-30% whole bunch in each ferment. This wine is on song.

I’m taken. Gorgeous, silky texture, a symphony of character in fragrance, game meats, herbs, red berries, clove, sweet spice. The palate is incredible – supple, pliant, long, satiny yet etched with the finest tat-work of lacy tannin. It’s savoury, fruit driven, pure-feeling but lifted on fine spicy oak and glossy acidity. In essence, it drinks utterly superbly. It’s next level. It’s a new classic for Clonakilla. Glory be.
97 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front

Tim Kirk's Socratean dissatisfaction has led to changes in the vineyard and winery alike. One particular change is the increase in the percentage of whole bunches, resulting in even greater perfume and more texture, yet leaving the mouth fresh. Spices are embroidered on the red fruits with unequalled attention to detail. Drink by 2030.
98 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion