2002 Clonakilla Shiraz Hilltops

Community Tasting Notes (4) Median Score: 84 points

• Options

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

  6/11/2010 - majamke wrote: 92 Points

  Starting to brown round the edges, this is obviously an older vintage. Pre - decant taste showed a beautifully floral nose with apricot and plum on the palate. All lovingly wrapped in spicy tannin that seems extremely well balanced. After an hour or so in the decanter, the nose gained a slightly harder edge, losing some of the floral perfume and gaining menthol and apricot. The tannins seemed to gain a bit of spice (American oak?) while the long finish of plum was remarkable for such an affordable bottle from the lowest rung on the Clonakilla ladder. I can only surmise from reading older reviews that this wine really needed quite a few years of careful cellaring to show its true potential. I've learned a lesson and will try and keep the recent vintages of the Hilltops for a few more years before judging them.

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

• Options

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

  7/30/2008 - dannyboy wrote: 83 Points

  strong plum on the nose. lots of fruit flavour, but not integrating well for me. Meaty and alcoholic, smoky. I want to like it but overall a bit unbalanced.

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

• Options

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

  1/19/2008 - graemeg wrote:

  {cork, 15%} Very dark, and primary-fruited, blackberry and blackcurrented fruit, not obviously cool-climate, ripe and rich, quite tight. Fine tannins, warmish finish but not dominated by alcohol, altogether very impressive. Should buy more of this label.

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

• Options

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

  6/25/2006 - martiny wrote: 65 Points

  I like the flagship product, (Shriaz viognier 2003) from the same producer so much, this bottle is almost half the price of that, so I gave it a try....i have to say i wasted my money.
  
  The wine body is very rich and full-body, full of berries..however, the after taste is too strong with oak tannin, and worst of all, it turns into a bit bitter in 10 sec....no wonder

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

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.