Clonakilla Ceoltoiri 2025
- 94
- $45
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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The name, and I apologise but you are going to have to work out the pronunciation for yourself, is Irish for a group of musicians, the concept being just as musicians work together to create a more complex sound, the grapes here all work together in the interests of complexity and a wine that is greater than the individual components. Tim Kirk notes that this year, it is Grenache which takes the role of the lead singer. Think of the rest as the E Street Band – you could do much worse. The actual blend is 55% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre, 7% Shiraz, 6% Counoise, 4% Cinsault and 2% Roussanne. Maturation was for a year in older French oak puncheons. 2025 was a superb vintage for the region. Pale crimson of hue, the aromas weave through a mix of spices, red fruits, a touch of truffles and garden herbs. The wine is focused and sleek, beautifully crafted and with such length. It finishes with intensity and yet finesse, and satiny tannins. Enjoy over the next fifteen years. Release October 2026
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
