Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz – an unprecedented pedigree
Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz has been rated the best Shiraz in the world three times – the 2002, 2005; and more recently 2014 vintage by the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London.
That is three times in twelve years! No other Australian Shiraz can boast that.
The Masters of Wine who make buying decisions for Emirates Airlines bought Oracle Shiraz 2009 and 2013 for First Class, and bought what they could of the 2014 for the First Class Lounge.
This lineage has again been franked – this time it is the International Wine Challenge who has awarded the 2015 vintage with a Gold Medal.
It is great timing given that the 2015 vintage is just being launched.
It begs the question – why is Oracle so successful?
We put it down to three key factors.
Firstly, the Clare Valley is an ideal place to grow Shiraz. The high diurnal temperature difference, that is warm days and cool nights – during the ripening season ensures that Clare grapes deliver powerful varietal character, but also retains elegance for long natural acidity.
Secondly, Clare is amazingly diverse, and Kilikanoon leverages this diversity to ensure a consistency of quality and style. Clare vineyards grow at altitudes from 300 to 600 meters above sea level, diverse rainfall and aspects due to the parallel valleys and ranges, and most importantly are grown on diverse soil types due to the seismic activity 500 million years ago which exposed 300 million years of soil strata’s to the atmosphere. Kilikanoon sources grapes across the Clare Valleys and Ranges, and fine tunes the vineyard recipe each year to achieve the desired quality and style.
Thirdly, our Founder and Master Craftsman Kevin Mitchell composes these wines with un-compromised commitment to quality. In 2011 when it was too cold and wet in Clare to make wine of Oracle standard, Oracle was not made. It was a simple decision. Style and quality standards simply will not be compromised.
This allows Kilikanoon customers to TRUST not only the Oracle marque, but everything Kilikanoon does.
It is always hard to roll over to a new vintage the year after being awarded best in the world, but in the Gold Medal winning 2015 Oracle there is no risk of disappointment.
