Clonakilla, Shiraz Viognier Vintage:2023 The 2018 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble

The 2018 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble is the first iteration of this cuvée

minerals and spice notes

wood toast and menthol

concentrated with firm tannins and ample acidity without any astringency

but as always

Clonakilla, Shiraz Viognier Vintage:2023 The 2018 Pinot Noir L'EnsembleThe 2019 Shiraz Viognier is from a low yielding (down around 15% to 20%), warm and dry year with some well timed summer rain that allowed the vines to produce bright, lively fruit. The warm year brought higher alcohol with it (14. 6% alcohol as opposed to the 13. 2% of 2021), but the same 6% Viognier inclusion remains. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak. Where the 2021 is bright, delicate and lacy, this 2019 is denser, muscular and