Bob McDonald

9.5

A gorgeous nose from the inclusion of Viognier- Violets and spices ( cinnamon and cloves). Any waiting to submit? I can continue! On the medium bodied palate there is white pepper together with red fruits and the spices mentioned earlier on the nose. Probably Australia’s best Shiraz Viognier - up there with Serrat. See previous Delectable notes - my last bottle of the 2010. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See several previous Delectable notes for this wine. This is my last bottle. A lovely mature Riesling developing Kerosene and toasty honey notes. The Canberra district is an ideal district for quality Riesling with neighbours Helm, also a reliable excellent producer. This wine won best Canberra Riesling, Best Riesling, Best White, and Champion Wine of the Show at the Canberra Regional Wine Show. A full house of Trophies! — 8 months ago

Johnno Harris

9.4

Stunning. So linear, light and bright and impeccably balanced. Delicious. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Continuing my theme of Australian cool climate Shiraz - this from the Canberra District. Considered by many to be as good as Clonakilla’s flagship Shiraz Viognier. Nose of pepper and spice with red fruits. On the palate cherry and spice with earthy mineral notes finishing with persistent fine Tannins. A very good cool climate Australian Shiraz in the mould of a Saint Joseph or Cote Rotie. NB Delectable this is Clonakilla Syrah. Not offered in your choices. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Dark crimson in colour. Notes of cedar, cigar box, mulberry and blackberry but not too much of the latter. Tannins resolved. The wine is in a good place at 13 years and my last bottle. Great value at around $30. A good example of continental Cabernet from the Canberra district. Pretty much equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Clonakilla better known these days for its stellar Shiraz Viognier. — 8 years ago

Travis W

9.0

Oh my. Almost European in its cool climate delicacy and balance. 5 years young. Drink now and over the next decade at least. — 8 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.2

Very well made wine. Med body, rounded. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz 2023
Canberra District, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A cool-climate Shiraz sourced from Clonakilla’s estate vineyards and selected sites in Murrumbateman and Hall, delivering a layered, elegant, and highly approachable expression of Canberra District Syrah. Rather than power and heat, this wine emphasizes aromatic lift, red-fruit purity, and graceful structure, shaped by the region’s clay-driven soils and precise ripening conditions.

Aromas & Flavors
Highly perfumed aromatics jump from the glass with vibrant red berries, cranberry, fresh plum skin, and subtle floral tones. The palate mirrors the nose beautifully, offering juicy red cherry, gentle spice, and soft earthy undertones with excellent clarity and progression. Everything feels expressive yet controlled, with freshness driving the overall balance.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, silky, and energetic. The texture is smooth and polished with fine tannins and lively acidity, giving the wine a graceful flow across the palate. Approachable and effortless to drink without sacrificing depth or finesse.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops with herbs. Roast chicken with mushroom jus. Charcuterie and soft aged cheeses. Duck breast with cherry reduction. Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

Verdict
A refined, cool-climate Shiraz that feels more about elegance than intensity. Perfumed, vibrant, and beautifully composed, this is a wine that delivers complexity without heaviness, polished, expressive, and quietly impressive.

Did You Know?
Canberra District sits at higher elevation with cooler nights than many Australian regions, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness in Shiraz. Clay-based soils help regulate water stress and promote slow, even ripening, contributing to purity and balance rather than overt ripeness.

🍷 Personal Pick
I love when a wine smells exactly like it tastes — this one delivers pure harmony between nose and palate. Youthful, vibrant, impossible to stop at one glass, and deceptively elegant. A dangerous crowd-pleaser with real finesse. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes. Meaty aromas - very savoury. See previous notes re this being Bryan Martin’s private venture while still working at Clonakilla with their Shiraz Viognier being the benchmark in the country. Love this Northern Rhone style wine. I was expecting pepper but got more spice and charcuterie. — 4 years ago

Thayer Parker

9.6

Lighter in colour than I expected. Very fruity initial hit. Very pleasant and easy to drink. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Love these cool climate Shirazes from Canberra District. A riot of white pepper and spice. Medium bodied with earthy minerality with some charcuterie notes. Short term cellaring from this point. Took a bottle to the UK 23 weeks later on 26th July 2019 and had it with chicken at sister Helen and Nick’s place. Consistent tasting notes as above. — 7 years ago

Emily Colonna

9.5

Olivia’s recommendation, lovely. Roughly $30 a bottle $14 a glass at the Dock — 8 years ago

Travis W

9.0

Pour it in your glass. Glug, Glug, Glug. Wow. Really well made. Drink now for delicate yet rich fun. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Sourced from several regions, pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits, spice, floral and citrus notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peach & apricot with notes of honeysuckle and citrus zest wrapped in savory toasty biscuit notes. Smooth long finish, well balanced, nice acidity, ending with fruit, yeasty and mineral character. Nice! — 6 months ago

mike

9.5

like sunshine — 7 months ago

Travis W

9.0

Top shelf Riesling. Aging beautifully. Drank over two days. Love aged Canberra district Riesling. Generally I've found that they need at least a decade to integrate. Balance of citrus fruits and talc. So different from Eden and Clare. This will go another decade easily. — 4 years ago

Geoffrey Green

9.8

A truly elegant wine: poised, well integrated, concentrated, a balance of dark fruit, cherry, spice, & forest. Nuanced & complex. The last & best bottle of a case. A splendid achievement accomplished under the stewardship of Chris Coffman. Lovely. — 4 years ago

Chris Rose

9.0

Dusty woody notes with fine tannins long moth feel. Heavier style neb @ 14.5%. Dark fruits and floral notes — 7 years ago

October Cleveland

9.3

Like it says on the tin. Didn’t quite make a generation’s cellaring, though. Effortlessly elegant. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Typical Shiraz/Viognier Blend of the Canberra District without the oomph of the benchmark Clonakilla. Strong white pepper and brambley notes. Pepper and Spice on the medium weight palate. Good drinking and may be peak drinking at 5 years of age. Like this style a lot. — 8 years ago