James Halliday S Australian Wine Companion 2004 Edition

Kilikanoon Wines

A Selection of Reviews and Awards

July 2004-Kilikanoon’s ‘Oracle’ Shiraz triumphs in London

The world’s leading wine critics have awarded the Kilikanoon 2001 ‘Oracle’ Shiraz the trophy for the highly acclaimed ‘Shiraz / Syrah’ category at the 2004 International Wine & Spirit Competition. This is against Shiraz from all over the world. Described by judges as, “Outstanding quality. Lovely spicy fruit with immense weight of luscious fruit, excellent acid balance, complextiy and great length.

James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2004 Edition

Kilikanoon- Five star rating

One of ten “dark horses” wineries; “a highly subjective list of wineries which have either shown recent but impressive improvement in their wines or simply deserve greater recognition.”

Kilikanoon. “While seldom wide of the mark, hit a purple patch in 2002, whitewashing the competition at the Clare Valley Wine Show, taking six of the seven trophies awarded for Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Wine reviews and ratings

2000 Oracle Shiraz- 96 points (highest was 1998 Grange with 97)

Medium to full purple-red; the clean, intense bouquet has blackberry and plum fruit, with excellent oak integration. The wonderfully intense and long palate brings some bitter chocolate into the equation, finishing with fine, ripe tannins. From the same vineyard as-and similar winemaking to- the Covenant Shiraz. Best drinking 2005-2015

2002 Mort’s Block Riesling- 96 points (equal highest) Light green-yellow; very fine, intense lime and mineral aromas are followed by an equally intense and particularly long palate, driven by fine, lime juice flavours; great aftertaste. Best drinking Now-2013

2000 Covenant Shiraz- 94 Points Medium to full purple-red; the complex bouquet has spice, fruitcake and blackberry aromas supported by subtle oak; the rich, deep blackberry fruit of the palate has some spicy/earthy notes adding to both structure and length. Estate-grown in the Leasingham region; matured in a mix of French and American oak. Best drinking 2005-2015

2000 Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon- 93 points Medium to full red-purple; dense blackcurrant and blackberry fruit on the bouquet flow into the dense, fruit-driven black fruit and bitter chocolate palate; good control of extract. Best drinking 2005-2015

James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2004 Edition

2000 Prodigal Grenache- 90 points Light to medium purple-red; the bouquet has rich, spicy blackcurrant aromas; the plate live s up to the promise of the bouquet, with black fruits, a touch of chocolate and more texture and structure than one usually encounters with Grenache. Best drinking Now-2007

2001 Semillon- 89 points

Medium to full yellow-green; the oak is well balanced and integrated on the bouquet; on the palate, the oak adds to the flavour and structure equally; ripe, but not the least heavy. Clever winemaking. Best drinking Now-2006

2002 Second Fiddle Grenache Rosé- 86 points Light red-purple; the clean bouquet has a mix of black cherry, plum and spice; the light to medium-bodied palate is a halfway house between a conventional rosé and a light-bodied red wine; notwithstanding the zero tannins, will stand up to food. Visyboard Great Australian Shiraz Challenge 2003

There were 248 entries from all over Australia in this year’s Great Australian Shiraz Challenge, the eighth. Of these, 11 were awarded gold medals.

Kilikanoon entered its two Shiraz wines- the 2001 Oracle and the 2001 Covenant. They both received gold medals. As described below by James Halliday, it is unprecedented for a single winery to achieve this feat. The track record of these wines, although relatively short is very impressive.

“Winelines” by James Halliday. Weekend Australian October 18-19, 2003

“ Kilikanoon’s 2001 Covenant ($40) was entry No. 74, its 2001 Oracle ($40) entry No. 216; both made it through to the third day and ended up with gold medals, the first time a winery has achieved such a feat. All the more remarkable is that the previous vintage of each gained trophies at last year’s Clare Valley Show.” Some examples of the results of Kilikanoon’s Oracle and Covenant Shiraz.

Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz (first vintage 1998)

1998 Oracle  94 points James Halliday’s Wine Companion  93 points Wine Spectator  92 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate

1999 Oracle  Best red of the Show; Clare Valley 2001 Wine Show  Best Shiraz; Clare Valley 2001 Wine Show  Best Shiraz by a small producer- Winewise Magazine 2001  94 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate  94 points Hospice du Rhône International Festival 2001

2000 Oracle  Best dry red (non commercial Classes) 2002 Clare Valley Wine Show  96 points James Halliday’s 2004 Australian Wine Companion  93 points Wine and Spirits Magazine August 2003  4 ½ stars **** ½ Winestate Magazine July 2002  Highly Recommended- Winewise Magazine February 2003

2001 Oracle  Gold medal 2003 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge  94+ points Robert Parker Wine Advocate  Best Shiraz- Consumer’s Panel- Hyatt/Advertiser Awards September 2003

Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz (first vintage 2000)

2000 Covenant  Best Wine of the Show- 2002 Clare Valley Show  Best Shiraz- 2002 Clare Valley Show  Best Commercial Dry Red- 2002 Clare Valley Show  94 points - James Halliday’s 2004 Australian Wine Companion  First Class passenger wine choice Air New Zealand (blind tasting)  90 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate  90 points Wine and Spirits Magazine August 2003

2001 Covenant  92+ points Robert Parker Wine Advocate  Best wines from the Clare Valley- Australian Gourmet Traveller August 2003  Gold medal 2003 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge Sydney Morning Herald Good Drinking 9 December 2003

Huon Hooke

The Producers

Keep and eye out for 10 of our brightest stars.

With more than 100 newcomers hitting the shelves each year. there is no shortage of candidates for a list of up-and-coming new wine producers; And just such a list is what the 38 contributors to Tom Stevenson's new world wine guide, Wine Report 2004, were asked to do.

The writers, who include David Peppercorn (Bordeaux) Clive Coates (Burgundy), Nick Belfrage (Italy) Bob Campbell (New Zealand), Dan Berger (California) and myself on Australia, were asked for seven top-10 lists.

The lists were for highest-quality wines; top producers, fastest-improving producers, best- value producers, up-and-coming new producers, most unusual wine finds and bargain wines. In a dynamic and fast-growing wine industry such as Australia's there are many candidates for such lists and I can scarcely imagine how difficult talk must have been for France and Italy.

I thought it would be timely to look more closely to my top 10 up-and-coming new producers, as they are doing some of the most exciting things.

Kilikanoon, Shadowfax, Ferngrove, Oleary Walker, Tower Estate, By Farr, Kooyong, Thomas Wines, Hewitson

Kilikanoon

Kevin Mitchell fronts this Clare-based outfit which bolted out of nowhere to win six out of seven trophies at last year’s Clare Wine Show, with stately reds – 2000 Oracle shiraz, 2000 Covenant shiraz and 2000 Block’s Road cabernet – and ’02 Mort’s Block Riesling. Nothing I’ve seen since has changed my mind about this being an outstanding new producer. There are now three ’03 rieslings, combining drink-now seductiveness with the backbone to age. December 10, 2003

WINES OF THE FUTURE

Colin Climo is Deputy Editor of, and wine writer for, The Bulletin. He also writes a regular column for Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine.

Peter Forrestal is co-author of Quaff 2004, Best Value Wines in Australia and editor of The Oxford Companion to the Wines of Australia & New Zealand.

Sophie Otton writes for Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine, and is a respected wine judge and national sales manager for Two Hands Wines.

2003 Kilikanoon Mort's Block Riesling $19 Kevin Mitchell is a winemaker going places – fast. And his rising fortunes will do wonders for the Clare Valley. Mitchell wants Kilikanoon to become an export-focused 20,000-case brand and while production has risen fourfold since he purchased it in 1997, quality keeps going up. The 2003 Mort's Block is a superb Clare riesling from an excellent vintage and if you can find the Reserve, buy it. – CC

2002 Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz $38 This new Clare producer uses low-yielding old vines to make some impressive reds. The opulent, deeply concentrated, lavishly oaked, fleshy Oracle plays off our current fascination with Barossa and McLaren Vale shiraz yet produces a wine that is distinctly Clare. Tighter, more restrained, less lushly textured than shiraz from warmer climes, the Oracle has powerful briary, dark plum flavours, is approachable as a youngish wine yet will age well. – PF Winewise October 2003

Outstanding: Kilikanoon Mort’s Reserve Watervale Riesling 2003

Here’s another that clocked up the magic unanimous golds. This is a very rich, intense riesling that hints at stone fruit, but the underlying flavour and acid character is lime. For all its richness, the palate finishes crsip and dry. A gorgeous riesling. Well worth putting away for a few years. $$ Value $$.

Highly Recommended: Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale Riesling 2003

The label hasn’t been around long, but it’s sure made a big impression. The latest release combines lime and white peach components on a long, dry, acid-fresh palate. Delicious now, but will develop well.

Recommended: Kilikanoon Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

This is a fragrant, savoury cabernet with good middle palate weight and length of flavour. A touch of French oak enhances both nose and palate.

Winewise December 2003

Highly Recommended 2003 Riesling

We included the 2003 Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Riesling in this tasting. As it finished in No.2 position last issue, we felt it would provide an excellent yardstick this time around. It topped this tasting, confirming the October result. Kilikanoon comment- It came second in October to the Kilikanoon Mort’s Reserve 2003 Riesling!

Highly Recommended: 2001 Kilikanoon Clare Valley Oracle Shiraz

Oracle has, in just a few years, challenged the established order of Clare reds. This release is deeply coloured and packed with vibrant varietal fruit. The oak is slightly toasty, but not overdone. Cellar 5-7 years ($40.00)

Highly Recommended : 2001 Kilikanoon Clare Valley Covenant Shiraz

The fruit is very ripe, but still retains its freshness. Oak shows out on both nose and palate, but it is in harmony with the blackberry-like fruit. Drinkable now, but will improve over the next couple of years ($40.00)

Recommended: 2001 Kilikanoon McLaren Vale Parable Shiraz Offers plenty of varietal flavour, but is a little forward and oaky. Will benefit from some bottle age ($37.00) Winewise February 2004

Highly Recommended (First Choice): Kilikanoon Second Fiddle Grenache Rosé

The vivid deep pink colour is eye-catching, and the vibrant red fruits aromas are enticing. Cut to the all-important part-the flavour. No disappointments here either. There’s a suggestion of sweetness but plenty of fruit as well, and the acidity lifts the finish. First Class. ($17.00)

Decanter Magazine February 2004

Highly Recommended (12 of 74 tasted) Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Riesling

Classic Riesling nose, packed with concentrated elderflower, mineral and lime notes. The palate is just as good- balanced, concentrated, stylish. Up to 5 years

Philip White Adelaide Advertiser 28 January 2004

Kilikanoon Mort’s Reserve Watervale Riesling 2003 93 points

This is the cream of Kevin Mitchell’s riesling crop, hand-pruned and hand-picked from Mort’s and Khaleyre old vineyards in the terra rossa and limestone of Watervale. It’s scrumptious, unusually soft, smooth riesling, with whiffs of soapy mandarin peel as much as lime and lemon, and a lovely peachy fullness that sets it aside from the more austere 2003s. FOOD: Whiting in the pan with lemon, witlof and baby beetroots. 1. Robert Parker Jnr -Wine Advocate reviews and articles

Robert Parker Jnr Wine Advocate August 2003

Kilikanoon

One of Clare Valley’s outstanding wineries, winemaker/proprietor Kevin Mitchell has fashioned an impressive portfolio of wines, all available at realistic prices.

The outstanding 2003 Riesling Mort’s Block (90 points)(which had just been bottled) is a perfumed, classy effort revealing characteristics of tropical fruits, peaches and ripe citrus in its medium bodied, dry, concentrated personality. Drink this beauty over the next 1-2 years. More closed aromatically, but exhibiting additional minerality as well as power, the 2003 Riesling Mort’s Reserve (91 points) is a limited production cuvee offering crsip acidity, and plenty of tropical fruit notes interwoven with liquid mineral and a steely nervosity. Hints of white peaches and spice are also found in this medium- bodied, concentrated, structured, less obvious Riesling. Consume it over the next 2-3 years. Kilikanoon’s reds are all impressive, rich, concentrated offerings displaying surprising balance as well as precision. The best value is the 2001 Shiraz Killerman’s Run (90 points). A 100% Shiraz from Barossa, Mclaren Vale and Clare vineyards, it possesses a deep, saturated plum/ruby color, plenty of black cherry, licorice, pepper and spicy aromas, medium to full body, a lush plump palate, and a fat, fleshy finish. Consume it over the next 2-3 years. The 2001 Medley (89 points), a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Shiraz and 10% Mourvèdre reveals hints of twigs/tree bark and new saddle leather mingled with damp earth, barn, licorice and spice in the complex aromatics. Firmly structured, medium- bodied and elegant, it comes across as a French-styled Provençale offering. It will drink well for 5-6 years. The exceptional 2001 Grenache Prodigal’s (91 points) dense ruby/purple color is followed by gorgeously sweet aromas of cherry and raspberry jam interwoven with freshly ground white pepper, balsam wood and spice. Dense, full-bodied, beautifully textured and pure, with a long, luscious, opulent finish, it will provide immense pleasure over the next 5-6 years. It spent 22 months in old American and French wood hogsheads prior to being bottled unfiltered. Even more brilliant is the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Blocks Road (92 points), which was aged 24 months in a combination of new and used French hogsheads(300 liters). A saturated purple color accompanies a sumptuous perfume of white flowers, blackcurrants, underbrush and licorice. Full-bodied, with tremendous richness, purity and harmony, this beauty can be drunk now (if you like your wines thick and grapy) or over the next 10-15 years (when it will be more delineated and civilized).

Robert Parker Jnr Wine Advocate August 2003

The Shiraz cuvees are all stunning. The 2001 Shiraz Parable (92 points) is produced from 30-45 year old vines, fermented in an open-top fermenter to blow off some of the alcohol, and then matured for 22 months in small American and French oak casks prior to being bottled unfiltered.. It possesses great richness, power, thickness and intensity as well as tremendous overall balance for a wine of such mass and depth. There are also huge reserves of fruit. Although young, the integration of acidity, tannin and alcohol makes it accessible now. However, it will not hit its prime for another 2-5 years; it should last for 12-15 years. The outrageously rich 2001 Shiraz Covenant (92+ points) (from 30-40 year old vines) exhibits an inky purple color as well as a terrific bouquet of blackberries, melted licorice, tar and background wood. Full-bodied, tightly-structured, and somewhat closed, but enormously promising, it should be at its finest between 2005- 2020. Kilikanoon’s flagship offering, the 2001 Oracle Shiraz (94+ points) was aged 24 months in French hogsheads before being bottled unfiltered. It gracefully conceals its nearly 15% alcohol. An opaque purple color is accompanied by a deep, blackberry- scented nose revealing admirable purity and style. Reminiscent of a modern-styled Hermitage from the northern Rhône Valley, it is deep, rich and full-bodied, with good underlying acidity, a cool climate taste profile, yet tremendous power, intensity and length. The finish last for nearly a minute. Patience will be required for this young Shiraz. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the following 15+.

Barrel samples of the 2002 Shiraz (they will be bottled by the end of the year) demonstrate the potential greatness of this vintage. The 2002 Shiraz Covenant (90- 93+ points) reveals massive intensity yet extraordinary elegance and delineation. It possesses a saturated inky purple color, huge tannin and a big, chewy, thick style that is neither overdone nor heavy. It will need 2-3 years of cellaring, and should last for 15+ years. The prodigious 2002 Shiraz Oracle (94-96 points) is a stunningly proportioned, full-bodied, balls-to-the-walls wine that comes across as harmonious and balanced. Deep and concentrated with loads of blackberry fruit, melted licorice, tar, espresso, and spicy wood characteristics, this dense, beautifully-textured, tremendously long Shiraz should be at its peak between 2006-2020. A new offering, which is meant to be the flagship wine for Kilikanoon is the 2002 Shiraz Reserve (95-98+ points). Cropped at one ton of fruit per acre (from a 36 year- old Barossa vineyard), it will be aged a total of 24 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads then bottle aged 12 months prior to release. There will only be 300 cases produced, clearly not enough for this South Australia classic. A wine of great intensity, richness, precision, and fruit character, it is super-deep and full-bodied, yet is not too massive or over the top. Pure and ripe, with a 60+second finish, this compelling Shiraz will be at its prime between 2006-2022. Robert Parker Jnr Wine Advocate August 2003

Kilikanoon scores

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Blocks Road………92 2001 Grenache Prodigal…………………...... 91 2001 Medley Proprietary Red…………………89 2003 Riesling Mort’s Block ………………….. 90 2003 Riesling Mort’s Reserve…………………91 2002 Shiraz Covenant………………………….(90-93+) 2001 Shiraz Covenant…………………………..92+ 2001 Shiraz Killerman’s Run………………….90 2002 Shiraz Oracle……………………………..(94-96) 2001 Oracle Shiraz……………………………. 94+ 2001 Shiraz Parable…………………………….92 2002 Shiraz Reserve……………………………(95-98+)

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Robert Parker Jnr Wine Advocate Kilikanoon Reviews (2002 and earlier))

“Given the consistency of my tastings here, this is one of Clare Valley’s finest wineries.”

Two good values include the Rhone Valley-like 2000 Shiraz Killerman’s Run. Its dark ruby-purple color is accompanied by a big peppery, earthy, leathery nose offering notions of cocoa and red as well as black fruits. Lush and fruity, with underlying earthy spiciness, it is best drunk over the next 3-4 years.

The other value-priced offering is the 2000 Siblings, a blend of 66% young vine Shiraz and 34% old vine Grenache (40 years on average), all aged in neutral French and American wood, and bottled unfiltered. Although it displays a monolithic personality, it possesses a dense ruby color as well as outstanding fruit, lushness and texture. At present it is all fruit with hints of spice and pepper. If more complexity develops it will merit an even higher score. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. From the winery’s oldest Grenache parcel, the 2000 Grenache Prodigal (15% natural alcohol from 2.5 tonnes per acre) exhibits a Chateau-Rayas-like perfume of black raspberry liqueur and kirsch intermixed with sweet herb and earth notes. There is great fruit on the attack, a sensational texture, top-flight purity and a long, lusty, full- bodied finish. Drink this compelling Grenache over the next 5-7 years. Aged in 100% French Oak (one-third new), the unfiltered 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Blocks Road’s bouquet is reminiscent of a hippy party from the late sixties, as well as a Christmas celebration. Notes of fruit cake, potpourri, cinnamon, chocolate, black cherries and currants jump from the glass. It boasts an opulent texture, big chewy, full-bodied flavors, and abundant character. Readers who prefer technically sterile wines with no aromas will be appalled by the explosive aromatic fireworks offered by this Cabernet. Drink it over the next 10-14 years. Aged in 100% American oak, and bottled unfiltered (as are all Kilikanoon’s reds), the 2000 Shiraz Covenant (from older vines in a cooler section of Clare Valley) exhibits sweet leather, herb, black cherry, and blackberry fruit, medium to full body, and a rich style. Whilst neither as exuberant or as strikingly aromatic as the Cabernet, it is more European in style. Enjoy it over the next 7-12 years. A dense, full-bodied, more oaky-styled offering is the 2000 Shiraz Oracle. Aged in equal parts French and American oak (50% new), it easily conceals its 15% alcohol behind a blast of glycerin, black cherry and berry fruit, earth and creosote notes. It should drink well for 10-15 years. Importer Peter Weygandt- Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville Pa tel (610) 486 0800

1999 Kilikanoon Shiraz Oracle Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Syrah (a dry red table wine)

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #135 (Jun 2001) Rating: 94 points Drink 2001-2016 Estimated Cost: $42.00

A stunning wine is the spectacular 1999 Oracle Shiraz. Aged 18 months in 50% new oak, of which two- thirds was American and one-third French, and bottled with no filtration, it is a serious effort. A dense plum/purple color and stunning aromatics of plum, prune, blackberries, chocolate, and melted road tar are followed by an intense, full-bodied, viscous Shiraz with superb purity, low acidity, and a whoppingly long finish. This mouth-filling wine can be drunk now as well as over the next 10-15 or more years.

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #127 (Feb 2000) Rating: 92 points Drink 2000-2010 Estimated Cost: $45.00

The 1998 Shiraz Oracle, made from 40-year old vines, and aged in 60% American and 40% French oak, is an unfiltered, full-throttle, opaque purple-colored Shiraz possessing copious quantities of truffle, new saddle leather, pepper, and blackberry fruit aromas. As the wine sits in the glass, scents of overripe plums, cherries, and spice emerge from this heady, powerful, nicely-textured, plush Shiraz. Rich and robust, it should be consumed over the next 8-10 years.

2000 Kilikanoon Cabernet Sauvignon Blocks Road Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #143 (Oct 2002) Rating: 91 points Drink 2002-2016 Estimated Cost: $24.00

Aged in 100% French oak (one-third new), the unfiltered 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Blocks Road's bouquet is reminiscent of a hippy party from the late sixties as well as a Christmas celebration. Notes of fruit cake, potpourri, incense, cinnamon, chocolate, black cherries, and currants jump from the glass. It boasts an opulent texture, big, chewy, full-bodied flavors, and abundant character. Readers who prefer technically sterile wines with no aromas will be appalled by the explosive aromatic fireworks offered by this Cabernet. Drink it over the next 10-14 years.

The 2000 Shiraz Oracle is a dense, full-bodied, oaky-styled offering. Aged in equal parts French and American oak (50% new), it easily conceals its 15% alcohol behind a blast of glycerin, black cherry and berry fruit, earth and creosote notes. It should drink well for 10-15 years.

1998 Kilikanoon Cabernet Sauvignon Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #127 (Feb 2000) Rating: 90 points Drink 2000-2015 Estimated Cost: $30.00 The outstanding 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a dense purple color, and thick, juicy, cassis, and spicy wood aromas. Aged in French oak casks (40% new), and bottled unfiltered, this wine exhibits good structure and delineation, surprising elegance for an Australian Cabernet, medium to full body, and 15-16 years of aging potential.

1999 Kilikanoon Grenache Prodigal Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Grenache (a dry red table wine)

The 1999 Grenache Prodigal is an outstanding example of this varietal, and comes close to matching the superb Grenaches made at Clarendon Hills and Greenock Creek. The wine, aged 15 months in old oak prior to being bottled without filtration, exhibits a classic Grenache nose of black cherry liqueur intermixed with roasted notes and spice. Sweet, exotic, explosive levels of fruit and glycerin cascade seamlessly over the palate. Lush, dense, and impressively hedonistic, it should be drunk over the next 5-6 years.

From the winery's oldest Grenache parcel, the 2000 Grenache Prodigal (15% natural alcohol from 2.5 tons of fruit per acre) exhibits a Chateau Rayas-like perfume of black raspberry liqueur and kirsch intermixed with sweet herb and earth notes. There is great fruit on the attack, a sensational texture, top- flight purity, and a long, lusty, full-bodied finish. Drink this compelling Grenache over the next 5-7 years.

1998 Kilikanoon Riesling Morts Block Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Riesling (a dry white table wine)

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #122 (Apr 1999) Rating: 90 points Drink through 2005 Estimated Cost: $16.00 The outstanding 1998 Riesling Morts Block possesses an intense minerality, along with notes of lemon, lime, peach, and pineapple. The wine is medium-bodied, beautifully concentrated and focused with a steely, crisp, dry, honeyed finish. This superb dry Riesling should drink well for 4-5 years.

2000 Kilikanoon Shiraz Covenant Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Syrah (a dry red table wine)

Aged in 100% American oak, and bottled unfiltered (as are all Kilikanoon's reds), the 2000 Shiraz Covenant (from older vines in a cooler section of Clare Valley) exhibits sweet leather, herb, black cherry, and blackberry fruit, medium to full body, and a rich style. While neither as exuberant nor as strikingly aromatic as the Cabernet, it is more European in style. Enjoy it over the next 7-12 years.

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #122 (Apr 1999) Rating: 89 points Drink through 2008 Estimated Cost: $22.00

The 1997 Grenache Prodigal (made from moderately old Grenache vines) possesses 15% natural alcohol (all of it unbelievably well-hidden), and was aged 14 months in old French barriques. It exhibits a gorgeous, intense, cherry/raspberry, slightly oaky nose. In the mouth, the wine displays more elegance than its whopping degree of alcohol suggests. It is a well-delineated, medium to full-bodied, forward, impeccably made wine with abundant ripe, pure fruit. It can be drunk now and over the next 7-8 years.

1997 Kilikanoon Shiraz Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Syrah (a dry red table wine)

The 1997 Shiraz may be outstanding, and my rating could be conservative. Aged in both American and French oak, the wine exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, and a creamy, lusty, oaky nose intermixed with blackberry and cassis fruit. Ripe, with low acidity, a plush texture, full body, and a fruity personality, it should be consumed over the next 7-8 years. 1997 Kilikanoon Cabernet Sauvignon Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)

Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #122 (Apr 1999) Rating: 88 points Drink 2000-2010 Estimated Cost: $25.50

The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (aged 15 months in one-third new French barriques) requires another year of bottle age. The saturated dark ruby purple color is followed by a clean, structured wine with a youthful tobacco leaf and black currant-scented nose that will likely develop a more cedary character with cellaring. In the mouth, it is zesty and youthful, with lively fruit, nicely integrated new oak, adequate acidity, and a long, restrained finish. Stylish yet rich, it should be drunk between 2000-2010.

The outstanding 1998 Grenache Prodigal was bottled unfiltered after having spent time in primarily old French barrels. It tops the scales at 15% alcohol. Tightly-knit for an Australian Grenache, it reveals good structure, tannin, and wood, as well as full-bodied, cherry and raspberry flavors. Another year or two of cellaring should open this tight but impressive Grenache. It should drink well for a decade

2000 Kilikanoon Siblings Proprietary Red Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Proprietary Blend (a dry red table wine)

The 2000 Siblings, a value-priced offering, is a blend of 66% young vine Shiraz and 34% old vine Grenache (40 years on average), all aged in neutral French and American wood, and bottled unfiltered. Although it displays a monolithic personality, it possesses a dense ruby color as well as outstanding fruit, lushness, and texture. At present, it's all fruit, with hints of spice and pepper. If more complexity develops, it will merit an even higher score. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

2000 Kilikanoon Shiraz Killerman's Run Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Syrah (a dry red table wine) Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate #143 (Oct 2002) Rating: 88 points Drink 2002-2006 Estimated Cost: $16.00

The Rhone Valley-like 2000 Shiraz Killerman's Run's dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big, peppery, earthy, leathery nose offering notions of cocoa, and red as well as black fruits. Lush and fruity, with underlying earthy spiciness, it is best drunk over the next 3-4 years. This is a good value.

1999 Kilikanoon Cabernet Sauvignon Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon (a dry red table wine)

The deep ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon is surprisingly graceful. Made in a finesse style that exhibits good, spicy black currant fruit, evidence of new oak, and a round finish, it should drink well for at least a decade.

1998 Kilikanoon Riesling Blocks Road Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Riesling (a dry white table wine)

The 1998 Riesling Blocks Road is a dry, medium-bodied, lemony, citrusy Riesling with considerable elegance, purity, and fruit. It is an excellent wine to drink over the next several years.

1999 Kilikanoon Riesling Morts Block Kilikanoon Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia Riesling (a dry white table wine)

The foursquare 1999 Riesling Mort's Block reveals attractive lemon zest and tangerine characteristics as well as fresh, medium-bodied, dry, citrusy acidity, and a clean, pure finish. Drink it over the next several years. 3. Wine and Spirits Magazine (USA) August 2003

Kilikanoon Ratings and Reviews

2000 Oracle Shiraz 93 points ($US32)

A selection from older vines (averaging 45 years), Oracle is poised in its ripeness at a fresh intensity. This has the clarity of dew on a blueberry, the generous tingle of biting into a fresh red cherry. Complexities surround the fruit in potential energy, with scents of forest floor, edges of eucalyptus, and a black tannin to coat it without diminishing the clear expression. Potent and elegant, this ends red and it lasts, a wine to enjoy as it ages over the next 10 years.

2000 Blocks Rd Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points ($US25)

The fruit hides under a black forest of eucalypt scents, then blasts forward in the middle. This tastes of pure red cherry, feeling round as it rolls around the mouth, with red and black cherry lasting in a complex, fruit-oriented finish. The spice of tannin keeps it full and chewy, but the fruit is what makes it sophisticated. This should age gracefully, probably best in 6 to 8 years.

2002 Mort’s Block Riesling 92 Points ($16)

This is Kevin Mitchell’s fifth vintage of Riesling, from the Clare Valley winery he established in 1997. It’s a cool and clear Watervale wine, pure lime in its flavor, lively and firm. The finish lasts, the flavors carved as if following the curvature of stones through a running stream. A pithy wine for grilled prawns.

2000 Covenant Shiraz 90 Points ($US 28)

The red fruit of this shiraz seems very Clare in its textural finesse and gamey bounce, very Aussie in the super-richness and the bitter chocolate tannins finishing it off (it’s aged in American oak). Play off those tannins with the char of a grilled steak, and you’ll accentuate the roundness of the fruit. 4. 2002 Clare Valley Wine Show

KILIKANOON SWEEPS TROPHY POOL AT CLARE VALLEY WINE SHOW

Kilikanoon has won six of the seven trophies awarded at the 2002 Clare Valley Wine Show, results of which were announced on Friday November 8, 2002.

The 2000 Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz won a gold medal and trophies for Best Wine of the Show, Best Shiraz and Best Commercial Dry Red. Kilikanoon’s 2000 Oracle Shiraz, the producer’s flagship wine, won gold and the trophy for Best Dry Red in non-commercial classes, and Kilikanoon Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon won gold and the trophy for best Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kilikanoon’s 2002 Morts Block Riesling won gold and the trophy for Best Commercial Riesling from the current vintage. To round out the performance, although there was no trophy available, the Kilikanoon Second Fiddle 2002 Rosé with a silver medal was the highest scoring Rosé in the Show.

The 2000 Covenant Shiraz is the inaugural vintage of a wine created for the Sydney- based international wine trading company, Heritage Fine Wines. Extremely limited quantities were made and these were initially offered on a preferential basis to Heritage clients. Small quantities will now be released through the Kilikanoon cellar door and normal distribution channels.

The 2000 vintage Oracle Shiraz and Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon – about 1000 dozen of each are made each year – will also be hard to find.

The Clare Valley’s Kilikanoon may not be as famous – nor its wines as expensive – as Jim Barry’s The Armagh, Leasingham’s Classic Clare and the like, but it, and they, soon will be if quality and winestyle count for anything.

Founded in 1997 by Kevin Mitchell, a member of one of the Clare Valley’s long- established wine families, Kilikanoon has quickly gained the attention of influential critics on both sides of the Pacific. Yet it remains largely undiscovered in the marketplace.

Kevin Mitchell says: “I try to create a full-bodied style of wine. I like reds that are rich, round and chocolaty, wines that can be drunk young but will also improve for a number of years in the cellar”.

It is this ‘fruit-bomb’ style that has blazed new international trails for Australian wine. For instance, Robert Parker Jr, the U.S. critic considered the world’s number one wine tastemaker, declared last year: “Although I have limited experience with Kilikanoon, I have liked everything they have done to date”. This year he went one step further saying: “This is one of the Clare Valley’s finest wineries”. Such blanket approval carries enormous weight. Good Living Nov 19, 2002 Sydney Morning Herald

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Well. I do de-Clare

South Australia's Kilikanoon has wiped the table at the Clare Valley Wine Show

Clare Valley winemaker Kevin Mitchell dominated last week's 2002 Clare Valley Wine -Show with his Kilikanoon wines, winning six of the seven trophies. As one of the judges, I have never seen such a commanding performance by a single boutique wine producer.

All the more impressive, the trophies were awarded to four different wines: Kilikanoon's 2002 Mort's Block nesting ($18 cellar door), the Mick Knappstein trophy for best 2002 Riesling in commercial classes; the 2000 Oracle Shiraz (very limited availability, $30 cd), best red wine in exhibition classes; the 2000 Block's Road cabernet sauvignon ($24 cd), best cabernet sauvignon in the commercial classes; and the 2000 Covenant Shiraz ($26 cd), best red wine in commercial classes, best red wine of show and the Jim Barry Trophy for best wine of show. The only trophy Kilikanoon didn't win was the best dry Riesling, exhibition classes, which went to a stunning 13-year-old Jim Barry Riesling 1989. (Several trophies were not awarded because of a lack of gold-medal wines in those classes.) There were many fascinating aspects to the Kilikanoon near-clean sweep. The wines were all made by other people for proprietor Kevin Mitchell. The reds were all made at Torbreck Vintners, in consultation with Mitchell, in the Barossa. The Riesling at Neil Paulett's winery in Polish Hill River, a Clare sub-region. The grapes came from several vineyards, but the Riesling and part of the Oracle came from Kevin's father Mort Mitchell's vineyard, known as Mort's Block. Also, while the Oracle has achieved show success before, the Covenant is the cheaper wine and more readily available. It is deliberately made in a different style: fractionally lighter, more spicy and more elegant in structure, with less apparent oak. The key to this is the two source vineyards, at Penwortham, a higher altitude part of the central valley, and Armagh in the north. The Oracle comes largely from Mort Mitchell's vineyard: 40-year-old dry- grown vines at Leasingham, which is slightly lower and warmer. It's a bigger wine, chocolate, plum and vanilla flavoured, and has slightly more oak. The judges were anxious not to give the top awards to overtly oaky wines, as often happens. The cabernet is from two vineyards: Mort's and a neighbour's from across the road. The company that owns Kilikanoon is headed by Sydney Symphony Orchestra first cellist and wine lover Nathan Waks. Waks says Kilikanoon will soon build its own winery, so Mitchell can make the reds. The 2002 reds were made at Rolf Binder's Good Living Nov 19, 2002 Sydney Morning Herald

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Veritas in the Barossa and Torbreck. Hence, while most readers will never have heard of Kilikanoon, and the brand-name is fairly new (the business was established in 1997), like most overnight successes in the wine business, when you look behind the name you find top-quality, well-established vineyards, highly competent winemaking and people who've done the hard yards in the industry. Kevin and Mort are related to Andrew and Jane Mitchell, of the Mitchell winery at Sevenhill. Andrew and Mort are brothers and Mort has supplied grapes to the Mitchell winery in the past. Kilikanoon is in Penna Lane, Penwortham, which is where you'll find the cellar door sales outlet. Kilikanoon produces about 10,000 cases of wine under its own brand, with other brands for export to the United States and for sale through the broker Heritage Fine Wines. The Sydney wholesaler is Bacchus Wine Merchant, an off- shoot of Young & Rashleigh. Riesling is always the highlight of the Clare show and this year all the more so, thanks to the great vintage brought on by a record cool summer. There are many great Rieslings from '02, which will drink beautifully young. But they'll drink well at any stage in their lifetime and will richly reward cellaring for 15 to 20 years. As usual, some of the highest-profile wines didn't enter the show, but the stand-outs were Leasingham Bin 7 (great value at $16-$19),Koonowla (made at Knappstein's), O'Leary Walker Watervale and Kilikanoon Mort's Block(all gold medals); Pike's, Old Station, Clos Clare Mintaro (silvers); and Skillogalee, Leo Buring Clare Valley, Sevenhill, Neagles Rock, Kirrihill, Taylors, Olssens and Annie's Lane (bronzes). also liked Richmond Grove Watervale, Paulett’s, Eldredge and Jim Barry Watervale, although they missed out on a medal. A bonus this year is that all but one of the wines in the 2002 commercial riesling class were under screw-caps, which takes a great deal of gamble out of buying them. Of the '02s in the non-commercial (yet to be released) class. Penna Lane (gold), Leasingham Classic, Ingham's Skilly Ridge (silvers) and Annie's Lane Coppertrail (bronze) impressed. I cannot recommend the 2002 Rieslings too highly. Earlier Reviews and Awards  2001 Clare Show- trophies for Best Shiraz and Best Red of the Show-1999 Oracle Shiraz.  Winewise 2001 Best Shiraz by a Small Vigneron-1999 Oracle Shiraz.  Wine Spectator- 93 points 1998 Oracle.  James Halliday- 94 points 1998 Oracle, 90 points 1999 Oracle.  2001 Hospice du Rhone International Festival- 94 points 1999 Oracle, 91 points 1999 Prodigal.  “Warm, rich and supple, a seductive wine dripping with ripe blackberry, black cherry, vanilla and spice flavors that weave through the highly polished finish and last and last”- Wine Spectator (1998 Oracle)  “..ripe, rich blackberry and chocolate fruit aromas lead into a gloriously rich palate offering the same flavours as the bouquet, untrammelled by oak, and finishing with soft, almost silky, tannins. Irresistible.- James Halliday (1998 Oracle) 4**** Winestate Magazine July 2002 2000 Blocks Rd Cabernet Sauvignon "Ripe mixed berries dominate the nose with oak and spice showing through. Moderate fruit weight; superbly balanced with fine-grained tannins and defining acidity. Sweet fruit flavours and savoury oak combine well on the finish." Hospice Du Rhone, Grand Tasting California Mid-State Fairgrounds, Paso Robles, June 2, 2001 1999 Kilikanoon Clare Valley Oracle Shiraz 06/02/01 - Very dark with ripe blackberry nose, syrupy blackberry fruit, bracing acidity ensures a long finish. A winner for the vintage. 94 1999 Kilikanoon Clare Valley Prodigal Grenache 06/02/01 - Forward dark fruit, supple, sweetish. Generous and appealing. 91 Wine house 1998 Kilikanoon Siblings (Clare Valley) Wow! An amazing Aussie wine from the stellar 1998 vintage for under $15!This rich blend of Grenache (75%), Shiraz (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) -- a wonderful blend, by the way -- creates an intensely flavored, well-balanced wine. It's been said, "Don't carry all of your eggs in one basket" -- in the case of this wine, that saying does not hold true. Put all three of these varietals into one bottle of wine and let the fun begin! Jim K. “Spirit, Wine and Beer Vendor” Canadian Magazine 1998 Shiraz Oracle: Kilikanoon (Clare valley, Australia) At around the $30 retail, this wine demands attention and respect, and certainly gets it. Black cherry colour to near purple, this wine stuns you from the very beginning. Aromas of black fruit and black pepper abound while on the palate, gobs of sweet ripe black fruit with very full flavours remain from beginning to end. And for those who only buy because of ratings, this wine received a 92/100 from the Wine Advocate.