Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz Canberra – 2021

Cool climate (for Australia) from around 600mts altitude in the Canberra Highlands, this peppery, red-fruited Syrah has freshness of acidity and medium body. A stepping stone in style between classic Northern Rhone style Syrah and more typical Australian fuller bodied Shiraz. From the exceptional 2021 vintage, this is very impressive.

“The supreme clarity of the fruit in this gorgeous New South Wales shiraz makes it stand out from the pack. It is beautifully proportioned with impressive flow and exhibits the signature of Clonakilla as much as it does its source region or variety. Everything is perfectly balanced, from the focused cherry flavours to the integrated acidity and discrete tannin. Pure class.” Toni Paterson MW – The Wine Magazine

“2021 was the latest vintage ever for Hilltops, with picking extending into April. The wine is dark, brooding (cool, elegant, long-ripening) and full of classic Hilltops character. The tannins are firmer, “with a little more growl,” suggests Tim Kirk. This was made with virtually no whole-bunches (“OK, some, we can’t help ourselves,” says Kirk) and matured in French oak (15% new) for 12 months. There’s a cocoa nib/blackberry character. Very good.” 91 points – Erin Larkin, Wind Advocate

“Mid crimson. High toned. Transparent. Lightweight. The sort of wine you thought Australia would never produce! Positively racy…” 16.5pts – Jancis Robinson