Always a pleasure to check in one of the benchmarks of Australian wine and the Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2018 is a beauty. This was only a very quick taste as the bottle was open on the bench at Different Drop when I popped in yesterday. A small taste is all I needed, however, as this is another super release. The key to this wine is the silkiness of texture, the velvety palate borrowing from Pinot as much as Shiraz. The Viognier is quite noticeable this year, though that’s not unusual, and there’s plenty of bunchy spice in the mix too. Otherwise, the overall impression is of carefully contained power. Medium bodied, and proudly so, with that sateen palate and fine tannins. Well done in every way. Best drinking: I like Clonakilla Shirognier youngish, so lets say over the next 10 years. 18.7/20, 95/100. 13.5%, $110. Would I buy it? Yes.