CLONAKILLA O'RIADA SHIRAZ 2023

95 pts Wine Advocate

The 2023 O’Riada Shiraz is perfumed and floral right out of the blocks: rose petals, petrichor, a drift of arnica/licorice, white chocolate and sweet tobacco. The wine is attractive and perfumed in the mouth as well, and the tannins are finely wrought. The wine finishes with a slight inflection of dried mint, but this is a gorgeous thing and comes highly recommended. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker WA

Clonakilla is an iconic producer in Australia, from a region that is a little off the beaten track. Murrumbateman, in the Canberra District, is a special place that is known for powerful, detailed Shiraz wines, perhaps off the back of the success of Clonakilla. The Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier wines on release are pretty, detailed, fine and persistent, with a structural clarity in the mouth that pins them to the mast and says, "I am Clonakilla." Their legend has been built on the shoulders of the old wines of the past, and they have proven their ability to repay decades of careful cellaring. Thankfully, the advent of the Stelvin closure will ensure the wines remain pristine for a long time to come. Special wines, collectable wines.