Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2015

It's rare to see a syrah-based wine that delivers power in such an elegant way. 2015 is a really impressive vintage for Clonakilla across the board and this, the flagship wine, is every bit as great as it should be. The aromatic spectrum is vast, from fine musky florals to white pepper and almost every imaginable spice. Then there's an incredibly exuberant explosion of fruit: boysenberries, raspberries, cherries of every shade, and plums covering everything from red to blue to purple hues; it is full of life. The palate has an incredibly deep draw, displaying a total saturation of ripe red- cherry, raspberry and red- plum flavors, chocolate and a dusting of white pepper. The tannins radiate light and energetic bright from start to finish. Perfectly ripe, seamlessly balanced and actually very approachable. Drink it now, but there's plenty to come in time; this will be best from 2022. James Suckling