97 Points James Halliday — A Canberra District Icon

My Wine Man on Clonakilla

Clonakilla is one of Australia's most revered estates, founded in 1971 by scientist Dr John Kirk in the cool-climate Canberra District of New South Wales. It was son Tim Kirk who elevated the winery to legendary status, pioneering the Shiraz Viognier co-fermentation style in Australia — inspired by the great Côte-Rôtie wines of the Northern Rhône. Today, Clonakilla's Shiraz Viognier is widely regarded as Australia's benchmark for the style: perfumed, precise, and built to age. The estate farms its vineyards with meticulous care, embracing sustainable practices and low yields to produce wines of extraordinary depth and finesse.

Tasting Notes

Deeply coloured; the bouquet is almost backward and slow to reveal the intricate layers of black fruits that lie therein. Time reveals succulent black fruits, minerals, fine spices, and a touch of fresh garden herbs. The palate delivers a wonderful mixture of opulent fruit, savoury complexity, and silky fine tannins that persist for an incredibly long time. Only at the very end do you get a glimpse of the fine oak in use. Certain to be long-lived. 97 Points — James Halliday

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied with exceptional structure, the 2009 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier is a wine of remarkable depth and elegance. The Viognier co-fermentation lifts the aromatics and adds a floral, violet-tinged perfume that sets it apart from conventional Shiraz. Now in its prime drinking window (2024–2032), this wine rewards decanting for at least 60–90 minutes to fully open up its complex layers.

Food Pairing

The depth and savoury complexity of the 2009 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier make it a stunning match for Cape Grim Grass-Fed Sirloin Steak from My Meat Man. The wine's black fruit intensity and silky tannins complement the rich, mineral character of Cape Grim beef beautifully — whether grilled over charcoal, pan-seared with a herb butter finish, or served as a classic steakhouse cut.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$999, the 2009 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier represents exceptional value for a 97-point wine from one of Australia's most celebrated estates. Comparable vintages of Clonakilla regularly command significantly higher prices at auction, and with the wine now entering its peak drinking window, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy a true Australian icon without the wait. Wines of this pedigree and score from Burgundy or the Northern Rhône would cost multiples of this price.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2012 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz Viognier — Barossa Valley powerhouse, opulent and richly structured
- 2016 Hardy's Eileen Hardy Shiraz — McLaren Vale elegance, plush and approachable
- 2021 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz — Barossa intensity, concentrated and age-worthy