Accolades & Reviews
• Jeremy Oliver – 96 Points
“A silky, fine and elegant wine. Despite its sumptuous texture and powerful flavours, it’s richly endowed with dark fruits framed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Savoury, tightly focused and supremely balanced.”
— Jeremy Oliver
• Campbell Mattinson
“A wine of rare complexity, real complexity, and rare quality. The viognier is at seven percent and comes across as just a small part of the show: what is dominant is an exquisite sense of finesse, fine tannins, ripples of spice and cherry, and the most seductive, dry, lipsmacking licorice flavour you could ever desire.”
— Campbell Mattinson
• Huon Hooke
“Michel Chapoutier told me the best shiraz he tasted at a recent event was the 2003 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier — yet another superb vintage for this modern classic.”
— Huon Hooke
• Lester Jesberg
“An intense yet supremely elegant shiraz with a subtly complex, slightly spicy bouquet and exquisite fragrance derived from both varietal components. The palate is very long and very fine.”
— Lester Jesberg
• James Suckling
“Shows a slightly distorted character; looks completely different to other vintages. Has the depth and density but with a chewy edge that really makes for a distinctively tough, dry and dense finish. The vintage shows through strongly, verges on bitter chocolate too. Drink up or hold to extreme maturity if you're curious.”
Vintage Notes
A drought year. Crops were down due to the dry conditions, producing smaller berries with higher colour and tannin concentration. Despite the heat, the wine avoided the overt dryness seen in many Australian reds from 2003.
Grapes were picked between March 18–29. The blend comprises 6% Viognier, with 30% whole bunches, and underwent 2–4 days of pre-ferment maceration before an average of two weeks on skins. Aged 12 months in oak, one-third new (Sirugue, Francois Freres, Bossuet barrels).
About the Wine
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier is one of Australia’s most acclaimed cool-climate reds, combining the spice and perfume of the Rhône style with the structure and intensity of Canberra fruit. The 2003 vintage—crafted by Tim Kirk—delivers balance, finesse, and extraordinary aromatic lift.
Specifications
Winery: Clonakilla
Country: Australia
Region: Canberra District, New South Wales
Variety: 94% Shiraz, 6% Viognier
Vintage: 2003
Style: Red – Rich and Intense
Alcohol: 14.0% ABV
Acidity: TA 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.65
Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/L
Maturation: 12 months in oak (one-third new)
Closure: Cork
Food Pairing
Perfect with roast lamb, game meats, or slow-braised beef.
