2002 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier

Community Tasting Notes (22) Avg Score: 91.6 points

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  12/31/2022 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Magnum .
  Black core, red to pale rim.
  Inky, redcurrants, boysenberry, licorice, loads of fine furry tannins. Youthful fruit and structure. Very fruit sweet, intense, but stylish and smooth.

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  12/26/2022 - Dr S Likes this wine: 93 Points

  It’s been a decade since I tasted the 02. While not quite in the league of the superb 01, I’d always liked its complex, slightly funky side. But my closest mate from home in Hawkes Bay, who’s visit occasioned opening it late on the night he arrived back then (2012), was not impressed by its ‘rusticity’. Bret Nazis are so hard to please.
  
  Against that backdrop, the heavy tertiary marmite and oxo cube notes on opening did not ease the dour Scots heritage in my DNA. Nor did a report from the fabled Clonakilla 50th anniversary in October that the 2002 was drying out seem to be exaggerated.
  
  Funny how a few hours breathing can work wonders for old wine - or prove fatal. On pouring at JB and Alecia’s Kerralee vineyard, for our traditional Boxing Day winefest, fresher aromas soared from the glass. Florals, red and dark fruits, traces of compote, and yes leather too - but new smelling leather. All manner of charcuterie, game and earthy notes were also in attendance. Complexity plus. Very Rhonish but also a New World cool climate vibe.
  
  This flowed onto the smooth, full, satisfyingly mature palate. Silky and seamless, to quote JB. Satiny. The mouthfeel reminded me of a comment from a Rhone maker, that one of his wines felt similar to stroking a cat’s back: smooth and soft, but with muscle and some power underneath.
  
  Unquestionably time to drink, but a whole lotta love - provided the cork has done its job and the bottle is sound. Tally ho.

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  3/10/2022 - Potter181 wrote:

  91 points:
  Drank from Magnum using Coravin Model 6. Needed 1-2 hrs in the glass to open up. On tasting immediately after pouring the wine had a pronounced sour taste with muted fruit. After an hour or so tasts of cassis & a faint taste of licorice. With further time in the glass stronger cassis, tobacco & licorice emerged. Slightly disappointed and feel the wine to be fully mature & needs drinking up.

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  12/15/2017 - Paul S wrote: 92 Points

  DInner with Isaac & Lil (Pine Close): Enjoyable, and probably at the right place to drink at the moment. The nose was certainly more Australia than Rhone, with ripe blackberries and compote fringed with violet florals and peppery spice, with just a little twist of eucalyptus at the edge of bouquet. It wore its 14% alcohol really well on the palate, with a fine enough balance and freshness so one hardly noticed the alcohol. Nice flavours too, with a pure spectrum of crunchy blue and black fruit seasoned with more peppery spice on the midpalate. The finish was more mid-length than long, but otherwise a very pleasant wine that was drinking nicely at the moment.

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  4/3/2017 - cerobo Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Looking at my previous note, this bottle is much the same. Not showing any sign of deterioration. Very reminiscent of Graillot Crozes. Really enjoyable glass of wine.

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