Ranked #1 of 20 2009 Shiraz Viognier from Canberra District
97/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
A spicy, Rhone-like bouquet, and an elegant, medium-bodied, spicy palate which is restrained and speaks of a cool region although there is a lovely sweet-fruit centre. Great flavour!
Tasted: 13/02/2018
Drink: to 2039
94 Points Robert Parker
Deep garnet in color with hint of purple, the 2009 Shiraz Viognier has evolved into a baked berry and prune nose with underlying violets, salami and toast. Medium-bodied and muscular with medium to firm, chewy tannins, it finishes long and concentrated. Drink it now to 2023+.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. June, 2014
93 Points Robert Parker
The product of what Tim Kirk calls a "very warm" year, the 2009 Shiraz-Viognier nevertheless remains stubbornly "adolescent," according to Kirk. While the finish is still long and fresh tasting, the flavors are more roasted and meaty, with elements of chocolate and mocha. Drink or hold.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Joe Czerwinski. January, 2018
97 Points James Halliday
Deeply coloured; the bouquet is almost backward and is slow to reveal the intricate layers of black fruits that lie therein; time reveals succulent black fruits, minerals, fine spices and a touch of fresh garden herbs; the palate delivers a wonderful mixture of opulent fruit, savoury complexity, and silky fine tannins that persist for an incredibly long time; only at the very end do you get a glimpse of the fine oak in use; certain to be long-lived. Drink to 2025.
James Halliday. June, 2023
99 Points nicholas.enge_19549
For mine, Campbell Mattinson (www.winefront.com.au) nailed Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier when he wrote of the 2005 vintage "here, in this bottle, is the specialness of wine in glorious capture". Those words apply to this vintage also, it is magnificent, even divine. Smelled gorgeous when poured in to the decanter, where it sat for two hours. Tasted even better when the time came. Luscious dark fruits, complex savoury and spice, roast meat juices. Beautiful silky fine tannins. Extraordinarily long finish. Hugely enjoyable before, alongside, and following lamb shank stew. Won't touch my other bottles for a good few years. Drink in the next 1 to 10 years
May, 2011