Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022

Clonakilla is an Australian winery located in the Canberra wine region of Murrumbateman, New South Wales. The winery was founded by Dr. John Kirk AM, an Irish biochemist who immigrated to Australia from the United Kingdom in 1968 to work as a research scientist at the CSIRO. The first vintage from the region was produced in 1976, and Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier has since become one of the most iconic Australian wines. The Shiraz Viognier blend was first introduced by Clonakilla in 1992, inspired by Tim Kirk's visit to the Rhône Valley in France. The wine is a blend of Shiraz and Viognier grapes, with the Viognier adding a floral and aromatic complexity to the wine. Clonakilla's Shiraz Viognier has received numerous accolades, including being named Wine of the Year by James Halliday in 2010 and receiving a perfect score from Robert Parker in 2015. In addition to Shiraz Viognier, Clonakilla produces other red and white wines, including Riesling, Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is known for its commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices and has received numerous awards for its environmental stewardship. Clonakilla is a winery with a rich history and a reputation for producing some of the best wines in Australia.

Clonakilla wines are known for their elegance, balance and complexity. The winery's signature Shiraz Viognier blend is a perfect example of this style, with the Shiraz providing structure and depth, while the Viognier adds a floral and aromatic complexity to the wine. Clonakilla's red wines are typically medium-bodied with a bright acidity and soft tannins. They are often described as being fruit-driven, with flavors of dark berries and plums, and a subtle spiciness. The winery's white wines, on the other hand, are crisp and refreshing with a mineral-driven character and flavors of citrus and stone fruit. Clonakilla wines are characterized by their balance and finesse. They are not overly alcoholic or extracted, and are made with a minimalist approach to winemaking. The winery's commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices also contributes to the unique style of their wines, which are often described as having a sense of place and terroir.

The Shiraz Viognier blend is a classic wine style that originated in the Rhône Valley of France and has since become popular in other wine regions around the world, particularly in Australia. The blend typically consists of Shiraz (also known as Syrah) and Viognier grapes, with the Viognier usually making up a small percentage of the blend. The addition of Viognier to Shiraz can have a significant impact on the resulting wine. Viognier is a white grape variety that is known for its floral and aromatic qualities, and when blended with Shiraz, it can add a perfume-like aroma to the wine, as well as lift the color and enliven the flavors. The Viognier also contributes a silky texture to the wine and can help to balance the tannins in the Shiraz. In Australia, the Shiraz Viognier blend has become particularly popular, with many wineries producing their own versions of the wine. The style is particularly well-suited to the warm climate of many Australian wine regions, where Shiraz is a common grape variety.

The Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022 is a wine that truly embodies the exceptional craftsmanship of Clonakilla Wines. The cool vintage of 2022, with its gentle ripening progressing well into autumn, has highlighted the intensity and quality of the spice elements in the wine. This vintage is a celebration of the iconic Shiraz Viognier blend that has put Clonakilla on the map. On the nose, this wine is intriguing and draws you in with its fragrance. On the palate, the flavors are fresh, vibrant and well-balanced, offering a truly delightful tasting experience. The combination of Shiraz and Viognier grapes creates a harmonious balance, with the Viognier adding a touch of aromatic complexity to the rich and spicy Shiraz. The Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022 has received critical acclaim. This wine is a true reflection of the unique characteristics of the 2022 vintage, with a balance of fruit flavors and spice elements that make it a standout among Shiraz Viognier blends.

The 2022 Shiraz Viognier is an archetypal example of a luminous vintage. As you will see from the reviews, there is something pure and strikingly beautiful to be found in this wine that took a long and determined journey to ripeness through the cool, moist late summer and autumn of 2022. It is a celebration of everything that makes this site unique and (we think) rather special. - Tim Kirk, Winemaker.

The 2022 Shiraz Viognier is sensational, but that assessment isn't breaking any ground. It includes 5% Viognier co-fermented and had 20% to 35% whole bunches in the ferment. Lacy, ethereal and structural, this is equal part Boscobel rose (which, to me, smells of raspberry leaf tea and rose essence) and roasted meat juices. It is sweet and savory, spicy and svelte and peppered by layers of pastrami and roast beetroot. There are notes of earth, licorice, black tea, jasmine flowers in summer and lashings of dried exotic spices. This is affirming and good, so good. Drink it now for Pinot-esque pleasure or in 15-20 years for elegant, meaty, ethereal, fresh, complex, layered excitement. All good either way. This is one of my favorite Australian Shirazes. - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

Medium depth red-purple colour with a complex and lifted floral/pepper/mixed spice, graphite and violet bouquet, a trace of blueberry too, the palate intense and medium bodied, with ample fine-grained tannins and appealing balance. Seamless, harmonious wine with a lingering farewell. A wine of purity and unalloyed beauty. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Shiraz, 5% co-fermented Viognier
Vintage - 2022
Country - Australia
Region - Murrumbateman
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
Closure - Screw Cap