2008 Clonakilla Shiraz O'Riada
Community Tasting Note
Dr S wrote:
Sunday, August 6, 2023 - Dark purples and garnet still, with the appropriate degree of fading on the rim for a 15 year old.
Ageing slowly and fairly gracefully. Lots of fresh dark fruits still. But definitely warrants decanting and breathing up to dispel the initial barnyard funk, as other reviewers note.
Raspberry, dark cherries, perhaps blackberry squished in there too. Tilled earth, spice and a hint of tar. A potent cooler climate Shiraz nose, still.
Same on the palate. Fruit retains vitality - pretty damned good for its age, price point ($35 back in the day) and status as a super second. Quite dark, brooding characters on the palate, with a lick of that tar.
Not quite the detailed finesse and complexity of its big brother, the SV. The tannins are firmer, a touch chalky and clenching. But the fruit and savoury trimmings power on.
In the zone but plenty of time ahead if you choose. The only question is whether the tannin will yield as the fruit mellows. But we’re talking well down the track, over 10 years. This character offers a lot of good drinking before then.
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