Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz 2019
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James
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Winemaker Notes
The O’Riada is a quintessential Canberra Shiraz, fully charged with spice, floral notes and ripe red fruits. Pairs effortlessly with grilled New York strip steak, beef wellington, or a savory pork roast.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
From the celebrated estate that put the Canberra region on the map, this quintessentially cool climate Shiraz is plump and aromatic. It wafts appealing aromas of cherry, strawberries and cream and hibiscus with autumnal undertones of damp earth and leaves and peppery spice. The tingly acidity on the palate washes over the tongue, and chiseled, sinewy tannins tighten up the fleshy fruit, florals and spice. A tightrope of power and elegance, this drinks well now with protein at hand, or could cellar until 2035 or so.
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James Suckling
A beautifully fresh and sapid style that has plenty of fresh-ground spice and cracked pepper, across violets, blackcurrants, blackberries and dark plums. The palate adds a little espresso to this array of dark berries and spice. The tannins are smoothly layered and carry a smooth, fleshy finish.
Other Vintages
2022-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
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Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
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Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
Clonakilla was established in 1971 by John Kirk, a Canberra based research scientist. Of Irish descent, John came to Australia with his young family in 1968 to work with the CSIRO Division of Plant Industry. To his surprise despite the suitability of the environment their was no wine industry in there cool southern table lands of NSW around Canberra. To remedy this situation, in 1971 he bought a 44 acre farm near the village of Murrumbateman in New South Wales, 40 kilometres north of Canberra. The soil consisted of sandy clay loams over a friable clay subsoil and, with a climate not dissimilar to the Bordeaux region and Northern Rhone valley in France, he held high hopes for its wine producing potential. He proceeded to plant 1.2 acres each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. He named the property Clonakilla (‘meadow of the church’) after his grandfather’s farm in County Clare.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A picturesque region brimming with energetic producers, Canberra’s boutique wineries are set among a backdrop of the Snowy Mountains. Similar to its northern neighbors of Hilltops and Orange, Canberra has an extreme continental climate with a hot, dry growing season and cold winters. The region produces outstanding Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir and is under a new wave of innovative young winemakers unafraid to explore alternative varieties.