Print this Wine         1999 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier   CANBERRA DISTRICT                 January Release   Shiraz       Tim Kirk continues to amaze all wine lovers around Australia. This wine has achieved, in a relatively short time, cult status. This vintage is extremely scarce so do take the opportunity of enjoying this incredible wine. Late in 1998 severe spring frosts all but decimated the future 1999 vintage. The resultant crop was minuscule but most importantly the quality was absolutely supreme. One word of warning as this wine does not seem like most Australian Shiraz. Perhaps its due to the ripening conditions, or more than likely the vital addition of Viognier and this wine shows a real likeness to the wines of Cote Rotie in France’s Rhone Valley. Straight away the bouquet screams the Rhone Valley with a very high level of perfume. There are violets amongst a garden of flowers, as well as very intense fruits, cherries and plums predominantly. There are some oak flavors but they are not dominant, with the fruit still very much the most important component. Over the top of these characters is the lifted scent of apricots, no doubt due to a small but important inclusion of the white Viognier grape variety. Tim uses only around 5% but it certainly makes a difference. The palate is simply more of the same and there is nothing wrong with that. As well as the fruits and some charry oak there is a little aniseed character to add further complexity. This is a rich wine but not over the top. The flavors are all in balance, which is typical of a Tim Kirk made wine. There is great presence across the mouth, which is a fair indication of the concentration of fruit. To make this a complete wine there is the finish which is firm gripping tannin adding extra length to the back-palate. This will add longevity to the wine. It is difficult to estimate just when this wine will be at its best. Confidently I would predict it will age and develop for at least 10 years, and possibly quite a deal longer but this is a very special wine and has more concentration than a normal vintage of Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, which are typically medium term cellaring prospects. Try the wine young with an oriental inspired hot pot. If the dish has five star anise this will work even better with the hint of aniseed flavor coming through in the wine.         How do I download Hi-Res Labels?

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