The Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024 is a Canberra District red that blends 94% Shiraz co-fermented with 6% Viognier. It has rose, violet and orange blossom aromas, ripe berry fruit, a medium body and silky tannins. This highly regarded wine was rated 97 POINTS by Erin Larkin of The Wine Advocate. Stock is very limited.
In the glass it shows aromas of roses and violets first, with layered spice and ripe red and black berries behind them. Peppery, floral and perfumed, it is medium bodied, with tannins so fine and soft they come across as silky. The finish is long and focused.
It is a great match for roast chicken with mushrooms or a duck breast. It is delicious to drink on release but this is a wine that can also be kept in the cellar, it has a long life ahead.
The 2024 harvest was small. Frosts in October cut the yield, and a hail storm on 9 January reduced it again, as a result Clonakilla made just 15,650 bottles.
This Shiraz Viognier is Clonakilla's flagship, and it is rated as "Exceptional" in the Langton's Classification.
What it tastes like
This wine has opulent aromas of roses, violets and layered spices, with orange blossom, raspberry and cracked pepper. It is perfumed and complex.
The palate is medium in body, with cherry and plum fruit and silky tannins that frame the fruit. Acidity keeps it bright, and the finish is long and spicy.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Bright
- Tannin: Fine and silky
- Oak: Fine-grained French oak for 12 months, which adds spice
- Style: Perfumed, spiced Canberra Shiraz Viognier
Food to enjoy this with
- Roast chicken with sauteed mushrooms
- Duck breast with cherry sauce
- Rack of lamb with rosemary
- Mushroom risotto
- Aged hard cheese
- Slow-cooked pork belly with star anise, where the spice in the dish meets the spice in the wine
Who makes it
Dr John Kirk started Clonakilla in 1971 on a farm near Murrumbateman, about 40km north of Canberra, and named it after his grandfather's farm in County Clare, Ireland.
Clonakilla was the first commercial winery in the Canberra region. The estate vineyard is planted on reddish parna soil (windblown clay-rich soil) over yellow clays.
John's son Tim Kirk makes the wines. In 1992 he began co-fermenting Shiraz with Viognier (fermenting the two grapes together), a technique from Côte-Rôtie in France's northern Rhône.
For the 2024 vintage, the grapes spent 3 weeks on skins, and the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barriques and puncheons (larger barrels).
About the 2024 vintage
Clonakilla describes the 2024 season as one of challenges and rewards. October frosts significantly reduced yields, then warm conditions and timely rain helped the fruit that remained, and late summer and early autumn were exceptional. Tim Kirk called the season "heartbreaking and brilliant".
Halliday Wine Companion's 2024 New South Wales vintage report names shiraz among the Canberra District's standouts, with carefully tended vineyards harvesting low quantities of very high-quality grapes.
Critic scores and ratings
- 97 POINTS – Erin Larkin – The Wine Advocate, September 2025
- 97 POINTS – Huon Hooke – The Real Review, June 2025
- 96 POINTS – Jane Faulkner – Halliday Wine Companion, July 2025
When to drink it
This wine drinks well now, and Erin Larkin suggests drinking it from 2025 to 2044.
Technical details
| Producer: |
Clonakilla |
| Wine: |
Shiraz Viognier |
| Vintage: |
2024 |
| Variety: |
94% Shiraz, 6% Viognier |
| Region: |
Canberra District, New South Wales (Murrumbateman) |
| Country: |
Australia |
| Alcohol: |
14% |
| Oak: |
Fine-grained French oak barriques and puncheons for 12 months |
| Fermentation: |
Shiraz and Viognier co-fermented in stainless steel tanks, 3 weeks on skins, full malolactic |
| Closure: |
Screw cap |
| Cellaring: |
Drink now and through to 2044 |
Where to buy
The Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024 is available online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. Online and in both stores you can build a mixed case from a large range of wines.
Questions we are often asked
What does Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024 taste like?
The 2024 shows roses, violets, orange blossom, ripe berries and cracked pepper. It is medium in body, with silky tannins and a long finish.
Why is Viognier in Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier?
Tim Kirk began fermenting Viognier together with Shiraz in 1992, inspired by Côte-Rôtie in France's northern Rhône. The 2024 has 6% Viognier, which adds perfume to the Shiraz.
How long can Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024 be cellared?
It drinks well now, and Erin Larkin of The Wine Advocate suggests drinking it through to 2044.
What did the critics score Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024?
Erin Larkin of The Wine Advocate and Huon Hooke of The Real Review each rated it 97 POINTS, and Jane Faulkner of Halliday Wine Companion rated it 96 POINTS.
What food goes with Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier?
Roast chicken with mushrooms suits it, and so do duck, lamb and aged hard cheese.
Where can I buy Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024?
The Winery sells Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2024 online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
