Clonakilla, Shiraz Viognier

Clonakilla, Shiraz ViognierThe 2019 Shiraz Viognier is from a low yielding (down around 15% to 20%), warm and dry year with some well timed summer rain that allowed the vines to produce bright, lively fruit. The warm year brought higher alcohol with it (14. 6% alcohol as opposed to the 13. 2% of 2021), but the same 6% Viognier inclusion remains. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak. Where the 2021 is bright, delicate and lacy, this 2019 is denser, muscular and

More austere and structured

with silky tannins and a long finish

60 ha parcel of 40+ year old vines)

mineral-drenched black raspberry

another era - but still the signature Dom Ruinart elegance

with refreshing and spicy terroir and mocha aromas intertwined with concentrated fruit (or fruit skin) aromas and lemon zest notes

showing moderate depth

round and vibrant middle weight flavors that display a tangy finish where noticeable wood also surfaces

This is robust but not rustic or austere and should reward longer-term cellaring

100 per cent fermented in barrel

This is also an intensely mineral-driven wine that possesses both excellent punch and delineation on the refined and highly complex middle weight flavors

(from 8 separate lieux-dits)