2021 Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz, Canberra District
This vibrant Shiraz from legendary Clonakilla is produced from four different vineyards in the Hilltops district around Young in New South Wales. It's more approachable in youth than Clonakilla's flagship Shiraz Viognier, and the altitude is marginally lower in these vineyards than Canberra, so the grapes tend to be harvested around two weeks before those grown on the Murrumbateman estate. There's tons of fresh blackberry, cassis and black cherry flavours here with freshness and cool climate elegance. They use a mixture of old and new oak with larger barrels as well as barrique, all leaving the wine spicy, open and fruit-forward.