Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2006

I have to admit that I have never tired any of the Clonakilla wines until now, when a mate told me how much he enjoyed the wines at its winery when he went up to Canberra a couple months ago. Based on his recommendation, I got myself a bottle of the Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2006 for last night’s dinner at the famous Stalactites Greek Restaurant in Melbourne (known for its Souvlaki after clubbing to early hours in the morning and hungry for a nice meaty fix-up). I was already slightly tipsy with a couple of beer before hand prior to drinking this bottle so here we go on the review.

Appearance: Dark purple coloured wine.

Nose: A very fragrant wine bursting with perfumed aromas of dark cherry and blackberry as soon as you open the bottle.

Palate: From my personal taste I think it is quite a full-bodied wine that is full of berry flavours. It is definitely a very fragrant and juicy wine that tastes clean with firm tannins throughout to the finish. I should have decanted this wine a bit more to give it time to reveal further its complexity and enhancement of its dark berry flavours, and hints of subtle earthy flavours that should come out from this wine. I did find it hard to fully differentiate the fruit flavours of this wine but it definitely has a very good lingering after-taste finish and length. Although the wine is very approachable now, I think another few years will be good to soften up the tannins and give a bit more velvety texture to the wine.

Summary: This is a very good value wine for under $30 dollars, and I can’t wait to taste the Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier one day!!

Overall: "Very Good – Enjoyed the unabashed fruitiness of this wine" - 7 / 10