2022 Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz, Clare Valley

Kilikanoon, founded in 1997 by winemaker Kevin Mitchell, has built an international reputation for powerful yet refined Clare Valley reds. The Covenant Shiraz sits among the estate’s flagship releases, sourced from a selection of premium low-yielding vineyards across the valley, including older sites that deliver fruit of remarkable depth and concentration. Clare Valley’s combination of warm summer days and cool nights, along with a diversity of soil types from red loam over limestone to slatey clays, allows Kilikanoon to craft a Shiraz that is rich in flavour while retaining balance and freshness. The winemaking team uses small-batch fermentation, gentle extraction, and maturation in a mix of new and seasoned French and American oak hogsheads to build complexity and structure without overwhelming the fruit.

In the glass, the Covenant Shiraz is deep crimson with purple edges, offering an aromatic profile of blackberry, dark plum, and mulberry, layered with hints of liquorice, dark chocolate, cracked pepper, and smoky oak spice. The palate is plush and full-bodied, delivering ripe black fruit wrapped in velvety tannins, lifted by subtle acidity and balanced by savoury, earthy undertones. The oak is seamlessly integrated, lending notes of vanilla and clove to the long, persistent finish. This is a Shiraz with both immediate appeal and the structure to reward extended cellaring.

Perfect with slow-cooked lamb shanks, chargrilled ribeye, roast duck with five spice, or a rich mushroom and thyme pie, it is a versatile choice for hearty dishes. While approachable now, it will continue to evolve gracefully for 12 to 15 years, developing more savoury, complex layers.