Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz 2023
- 95
- $40
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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Cool climate Shiraz from the Canberra district, the wine is a tribute to an Irish hero, Sean O’Riada, a musician who took their traditional music to the world. Sean was John Kirk’s cousin – John is the founder of Clonakilla and father of current winemaker, Tim. Sean passed away in 1971, the same year as John founded Clonakilla. From a cool year, the wine includes both estate fruit and that sourced from nearby Murrumbateman and Hall. A vibrant crimson, this is a stunning cool climate Shiraz and wonderful value. Given the limited nature of the Shiraz Viognier, this is more than ideal for filling the gaps. Spices, florals, a flicker of animal skins, red fruits, cloves, red cherries and mulberries. A wine which is carefully crafted, with line and length and immaculate balance and the finest of tannins, it is, however, the gorgeous spice notes which are to the fore. Drink over the next eight to ten years.
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.
