TN: 2003 Clonakilla "Hilltops" Shiraz
Another excellent “baby†Shiraz release from Clonakilla. Smooth and mouthfilling without heaviness or glycerine. Intense very ripe and pure red berries, without any cherry liquor aspects. Some blackcurrant. Smooth integrated savouriness. Nothing barnyard for which the 2002 was accused. A nice coolness within the wine. Sweet caramel oak well judged. Tight, fine tannins very well integrated, especially considering the power and age of the wine, are in abundance. Not as powerful as the 2002 nor as long living, drink over the next 8 years, but more harmonious and elegant. Combines New World fruit purity with “clean†Old World style and savouriness. Its cellar door price of $28, a $4 increase from last vintage, now competes with a much higher standard of wines in the Australian market and I would not like to see if go over the $30 mark but it definitely offers something different and highly entertaining for the typical Australian palate. Rated Highly Recommended, it is a wine that you should not mind going a bit out of your way to taste.
Adair
