2001 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier

Community Tasting Notes (15) Avg Score: 91.9 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Dr S's profile
  • Report Issue

  2/17/2023 - Dr S Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Tasted beside the 2003, a rare treat to try two 20 year or older SVs. The 01 is special for several reasons, not only personally but for its place in the evolution of Australian Shiraz.
  
  This was the last SV made exclusively from original Clonakilla vines. The 01 shows how impressive the original Cka blocks were at producing high-end Rhone styled wine, even if the higher, north-facing warmer T&L blocks next door have taken the wine to a new level since 2002. I vividly recall a dinner where the 01 looked right at home beside two top Cote Roties (accompanied by guinea fowl, cooked two ways of course).
  
  The 01 was rightly acclaimed by the wine commentariat. It showed the new horizons available to Oz Shiraz in inspired hands, with winemaking flair and the blessing of a well-disposed site. It was not alone but it was a beacon. It won wine of the year in a leading guide, paving the way for many subsequent vintages to win that accolade in different publications.
  
  The only cloud over this foundational tale is the closure. Perfidious cork resulted in a lot of bottle variation. Perhaps up to 30% we’re corked. At the Clonakilla 50th, 9 or so bottles had to be opened to find 4 fit for pouring - and among them the four varied. My previous bottle a few weeks ago was utterly spoiled with TCA.
  
  This was my last bottle. The gods were not up to their capricious games. A good clean old bottle it was. And so finally to the wine.
  
  Well into the very late autumn of its life. Almost turning to orange rind on the rim. Then brick, with an old burgundy centre.
  
  Profoundly savoury nose. Baking bones to the fore, whispers of the red fruits that made it a delight in its youth, some leaf and herb, all dialled down. Touch charry, some balsamico too. Haunting and ethereal, as its maker would say.
  
  Fruit fading away from the bones of tannin on the palate. Mild pepper streaks emerge. Just enough acid to save it from the grave.
  
  For all it’s faded glory, it still resonated with me, no doubt with my heart over ruling my palate. The score shows some objectivity, mind. Others including an eminent Komrade have called it tired. I cannot object.
  
  Another reminder not to wait until some arbitrary, mythical date or peak state. Better to regret the last bottle tasted too early than lament it tasted too late etc. Suitably chastened, I intend to work through those remaining older vintages in earnest. Watch this space.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View lightning's profile
  • Report Issue

  8/1/2020 - lightning wrote: 92 Points

  Nose of pepper, smoked meats and red fruits. Light to medium bodied on entry, pepper, red fruits, fine firm tannins, lovely acid spine with good length. Probably not developing much in the way of tertiary flavours, and the fruit is starting to fade, so this one is best consumed in the short term (especially if provenance is uncertain). From a bottle professionally cellared since release.

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View lightning's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/2/2020 - lightning wrote: 91 Points

  Black olives, briney, gamey and black pepper aromatics, Cote Rotie style all the way; medium plus bodied, red fruit sweetness with black olive accents spiked through, meaty. fine raspy tannins, good persistence and acid spine. Likely to be at its peak (this bottle has perfect provenance). High quality cork used by Clonakilla (minimal holes/pits), albeit a tad short.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View etyc's profile
  • Report Issue

  4/12/2018 - etyc Likes this wine:

  Sushi & BBQ at J's office
  
  PnP’ed. Initially with a tinge of heat on the nose... but this soon blew off & gave way (after some time/air) to a very attractive nose of white-flowers, spices, pepper (which kept growing/going). On the palate, red-fruited, with earthly tones and a touch of garrigue, all wrapped in a fresh & silky package. So attractive & tasty!

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View rikipedia's profile
  • Report Issue

  8/1/2016 - rikipedia wrote: 87 Points

  Terroir-istes International - Australia-Clonakilla Vertical (Klein Constantia): (Blind Tasting): A deep red garnet to bricking orange rim wine showing developed tertiary characteristics on the nose. The bouquet offers wet earth, forest fruits, undergrowth, fungal and some aged Parmesan shavings. I pick up burnt sugar, dried orange peel and slightly oxidative elements that morph to a funky nose that suggests some Brett infection.
  The palate mirrors the development adding brambles with some earth on them and damp undergrowth. The acid is lively - a cooler year or simply added, - sweet and rich texture offers warmed or baked fruit compote with a smattering of spice (from stem inclusion?). It is not that deep a wine; the mid-palate to finish is more cola drops and cough syrup. Medium in length, the wine seems a little out of sorts with seemingly added acidity trying to offset the riper earthy fruit, touch volatile, orange peel, and coarse tannins. The wine is less integrated and spiky, less rounded, and isn't showing great.
  Blend of Shiraz and Viognier grapes.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

View all 15 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.