Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz

Clonakilla O'Riada Shiraz

Wine Description

The O'Riada Shiraz is named after Sean O’Riada, one of the heroes of modern Ireland. A talented musician and composer, he is credited with taking traditional Irish music out of the kitchens and pubs of Ireland and putting it on the concert stages of the world. He died, prematurely, in 1971, the year Clonakilla was established by John Kirk. He was John’s cousin.

accordion plus icons
Acclaim
“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. It’s also a bargain in comparison to this producers Shiraz-Viognier.”– (Editors’ Choice)
— Wine Enthusiast, Oct 2022
"This sings to its own tune and it's rather pitch perfect. An array of enticing Middle Eastern spices, pepper too, infusing dark-berried fruit at its core. There's an intensity to the flavours, smoky and seductive. Yet the medium-bodied palate is not overwrought. Beautiful tannins are as textural as a superfine emery board."
— James Halliday, Aug 2021
View more acclaim Arrow Right
accordion plus icons
Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Canberra
Bottles produced of this wine:
28,000
accordion plus icons
Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
3 weeks
Varietal composition:
100% Shiraz
Fermentation container:
Variety of Stainless Steel Tanks
Malolactic fermentation:
Full
Fining agent:
None
Type of aging container:
Barriques and Puncheons
Type of oak:
Fine-Grained French
Length of aging before bottling:
12 Months
Total SO2
69
accordion plus icons
Analytical Data
pH level:
3.57
Acidity:
6.4 g/L
Alcohol:
14.8 %
Total SO2
69
Residual sugar:
0.5 g/L
accordion plus icons
Wine Production

A hail storm on January 9th gave plenty to worry about, reducing what was already a small crop. Mercifully, the vines recovered well. We had rain when we needed it then a brilliant ripening season marked by a run of gorgeous weather in the crucial late Summer and early Autumn.