Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2017, Clare Valley

.We testify it is still drinking well today, though will benefit from an intermediate range of ageing. Its cracky, Clare style- still big, undoubtedly complex- has gone beyond 'big' and balances robust coffee and mocha plum fruit flavours with textural elegance and complexity. It was blended batch by batch and bottled unfiltered for maximum flavour. Best to decant lightly. Quite elegant. Consistent scoring.

JH 95 Points

This is a salubrious, full-bodied, glossy wine with a mesh of premium vineyard fruit and an 18-month passage across quality French oak. A deep crimson verging on opaque. A firm bulwark of coffee grind-mocha tannins prolongs scents of violet, blue to blackberry persuasions and crushed rock, long and far across the palate. The tannins define, etch and shape this, keeping it from an OTT persuasion. Just. Very good, if hedonism is your cup of tea. (Edited)

RP 94 Points

Even better than the impressive 2016, Kilikanoon's 2017 Covenant Shiraz offers up aromas of violets, blackberries and blueberries. It's full-bodied yet vibrant, a bit Cornas-like (but without the granitic base), with fine, silky tannins and a lingering finish. It can be consumed with pleasure anytime over the next decade or so. (Original)