Clonakilla Ceoltoiri 2024

Each region in Australia has its pioneer winemaker, someone that changes and influences the entire region in so many good ways it has and will affect generations after them. Jeffrey Grosset in Clare, Rick Kinzbrunner in Beechworth, Vanya Cullen in Margaret River, for Canberra it is definitely Tim Kirk.  Bookended by the cultish Shiraz Viognier and beautiful Riesling, the suite of wines from the Clonakilla Estate never cease to satisfy and impress.

In their words - Ceoltóiri (pronounced “keel-toy-ree”) is Irish for a band of musicians, playing together in harmony, making a complete whole. The band in 2024 is made up of Mourvedre (45%), Grenache (26%), Counoise (11%), Cinsault (10%), Shiraz (5%) and Roussanne (3%).

“Quite possibly the finest Ceoltóiri...to date” - Jane Faulkner

Our ‘Chateauneuf-du-Pape’ block is one of the higher sites on the estate and so escaped the frosts of October 2023. An average of two weeks on skins, hand plunged twice daily. The wine was run into older French puncheons post ferment where it remained for twelve months.

Good spring rain, warm summer days, cool nights and a glorious autumn delivered an extra degree of opulence in the fruit in the low yielding 2024 vintage. The fruit was destemmed, not crushed, to ensure plenty of whole berries in the ferments.  A balance of ripe red and black fruits and a hint of spice make for an elegant aroma and a generous palate.  Vibrant fruit singing in full voice here.  Tim Kirk

Critics thoughts -  Light, insistent, spicy and tannic, with overlays and underlays of florals, leaf matter, crushed spices, nuts and bell bright berried fruit, the latter of a red rather than black hue.  This is lively and lovely, dark and light, its fruit displayed as a kind of awakening. Charm, loads of charm, captured beautifully.  Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front