Kilikanoon Ridgeline Shiraz 2019
- Rich, full-bodied
- Clare Valley
Kilikanoon...one of the Clare’s absolute best and one of our absolute faves. Ridgeline isn’t just a marketing term for this shiraz. The grapes are sourced from a few rows at the very top of the hill on their Morrison’s Vineyard, overlooking the town of Watervale. There’s a smidge of new oak used here, but the majority is older barrels to the tune of 15 months. This provides a bit of texture and structure while still letting that fruit sing. We found dark cherry, plum, dried herbs and licorice all wrapped up in a savoury blanket with a lengthy finish and ripe tannins. Another hit from a producer that seems to know no other way.
Profile
It’s cool, we get it, you want to know absolutely everything about this wine. Well here you go, go nuts.
Specs
- Region
- Clare Valley
- Vintage
- 2019
- Cellaring
- 2033
- Preservatives
- Sulphites
- Alcohol by Vol.
- 14.5%
- Closure
- Screwcap
- Bottle Vol
- 750mL
- Blend Info
- 100% Shiraz
- Serving Temp.
- 14°C
Producer
Kilikanoon
Kevin Mitchell comes from a long line of vignerons, and in 2014 was even inducted the inaugural Clare Valley Hall of Fame as Winemaker of the Year. His dad Mort even tended Kilikanoon’s Golden Hillside vineyards - including the eponymous Mort’s Block - for over 40 years. Kilikanoon was named in the Top 5 Wineries of the World (by Germany’s prestigious Selection Magazine) and Australian Winery of the Year, as well as Halliday’s Winery of the Year in 2013. Reasonable reputation, then.
Region
Clare Valley
Riesling lovers need look no further. If there was ever a shrine to the rizza gods then it would be in the Clare. But go beyond the pristine, dry and steely whites that made the region world famous, and you’ll find some special reds worthy of attention. Shiraz and cabernet are among the frontrunners, with examples from Kilikanoon, Jim Barry, Leasingham, Tim Adams and Skillogalee regularly receiving top marks from Sir Halliday. There’s also some pretty smart grenache, cabernet franc and cabernet malbec coming out of the region too. So if you’re into plummy, well structured red wine styles, then you’ll find rich pickings here.