The 2024 Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz is a beautifully aromatic and medium-bodied cool-climate Shiraz from the Canberra District, crafted in the distinctive Rhône-inspired style that has made Clonakilla one of Australia’s most respected producers.
Named after the celebrated Irish composer Seán Ó Riada, this wine reflects Clonakilla’s philosophy of elegance, spice, and perfume over sheer power. Fruit is sourced from estate and select regional vineyards in the Canberra District, where warm days and cool nights allow for slow ripening and exceptional flavour definition.
The 2024 vintage delivered fruit of excellent balance and freshness, producing a Shiraz with vibrant aromatics and fine structural detail. In the winery, fruit was hand-harvested and gently fermented with careful extraction to preserve fragrance and texture. Maturation in French oak barrels, including a restrained proportion of new oak, contributed subtle spice and savoury complexity while maintaining purity of fruit.
The wine opens with lifted aromas of blackberry, red plum, and dark cherry, layered with notes of white pepper, violet, dried herbs, olive tapenade, and subtle spice. The palate is medium-bodied and finely textured, balancing juicy dark fruit with silky tannins and bright acidity. A long, savoury finish highlights the cool-climate elegance and drinkability of the wine.
Approachable now with light decanting, the 2024 O’Riada Shiraz will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 8–12+ years, developing further savoury complexity and tertiary nuance.
A benchmark Canberra District Shiraz that combines fragrance, finesse, and regional character in a refined Rhône-inspired style.
