97 Points – Jeni Port

Kilikanoon’s Oracle Shiraz has established itself as one of the Clare Valley’s flagship red wines. Crafted from old vine fruit grown along the Golden Hillside in Leasingham, low yielding parcels of Shiraz were selected from each vineyard based on concentration of flavours. Each parcel was then vinified separately using traditional winemaking techniques, before being aged for eighteen months in a careful selection of new and seasoned French oak casks.

The 2018 Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz vintage display the opulence, regional character and varietal power the Clare Valley is so renown for. Rich and powerful dark berries and bright red fruits up front that give way to savoury charcuterie with hints of dark chocolate and sweet spice. Fine, powdery tannins give length and drive to the fruit before a velvety finish.

“97 Points. Deep purple-garnet. Brings full meaning to the word complexity. Such an evocative, powerful introduction to the wine. Marries a world of aromatic spices of clove, allspice, licorice with light earthy notes, toasty char and abundant blackberry and bramble fruit. The palate has an undeniable intensity and flows easily courtesy of almost gossamer fine tannins. They do a great job bringing balanced structure and elegance. Fleshy plum, black fruits, star anise, tobacco, chocolate bullet and toasty oak build layer upon layer across the palate. Superbly crafted, walks that often difficult line between depth and fineness effortlessly. What a delight. $96. Drink: 2023-2038″- Jeni Port, winepilot.com.