Winemaker Notes
The O’Riada is a quintessential Canberra Shiraz, fully charged with spice, floral notes and ripe red fruits.
Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz pairs effortlessly with grilled New York strip steak, beef wellington, or a savory pork roast.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A very bright, direct and concentrated vintage for O’Riada, this has very attractive depth and such complex and spiced, sweet red fruit. Super fine tannins. The best O-Riada ever.
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Vinous
Shimmering violet. Spice-accented black and blue fruits and candied flowers on the expansive nose. Round and velvety on the palate, offering juicy blueberry, cassis and cola flavors and subtle hints of smoked meat and cracked pepper. Finishes long, spicy and smooth, with even tannins lending subtle final grip.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe and juicy wild blackberry, blueberry and spiced plum flavors have dried sage, violets, cedar and black pepper accents. With a sleek and smooth frame, it's polished and refined, with a long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 96 cases imported.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A picturesque region brimming with energetic producers, Canberra’s boutique wineries are set among a backdrop of the Snowy Mountains. Similar to its northern neighbors of Hilltops and Orange, Canberra has an extreme continental climate with a hot, dry growing season and cold winters. The region produces outstanding Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir and is under a new wave of innovative young winemakers unafraid to explore alternative varieties.