Ranked #1 of 18 2013 Shiraz from Canberra District
97/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deepish red colour with a purple tinge. The bouquet is wonderfully complex, aromatic and fragrant, with a mixture of spices and red and darker fruits, violets and other flower scents. Very intense flavour on the mid-palate, finely textured and long, with a resonant aftertaste. Tremendous persistence. A formidable wine of great aging potential.
Tasted: 17/05/2015
Drink: 2017 to 2040
91 Points Robert Parker
Always more limited in production than the Shiraz-Viognier (it comes from a specific parcel of the estate vineyard), the 2013 Murrumbateman Syrah is really peppery on the nose. It also hints at star anise and clove, plus dark berry and black olive fruit. It's medium to full-bodied and supple, with a long, spice-driven finish.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Joe Czerwinski. January, 2018
96 Points James Halliday
From the warmest spot on the estate, the top half of T L Block, planted ?99. Destemmed, not crushed; wild ferment, no viognier; 1 months on skins; 15 months in very tight grain French oak (33% new). The bright colour and fragrant bouquet introduce an exceptionally complex wine, fruit and tannins embracing each other, framed by quality oak. Will develop and live for decades. Drink to 2038.
-. June, 2023
96 Points Tyson Stelzer
There''s an understated, tightly coiled potential to 2013 Clonakilla Syrah, definitively medium-bodied in its stature, with an enduring longevity as protracted as any from this legendary estate. Texturally it’s a revelation, superfine yet confident and strong, promising many years of marvellous development. Impeccably refined and elegant, it''s an exquisitely focused syrah of exact white pepper character, nuanced with nutmeg and curry. Always just one fermented of pure shiraz from the north-east facing block one of Tim Kirk''s own family vineyard, he upholds the 2013 season of warm days and cool nights as being "as good a Murrumbateman Shiraz as we have ever made.” Time will tell, but he may well be on the money. Best price direct. Drink 2028 - 2038.
Source: Tyson Stelzer.