Nestled in the picturesque Clare Valley, Kirrihill Wines has managed to throw a major spotlight on the region after accruing an impressive bunch of accolades on an international scale.
The team achieved top gongs at the recent prestigious London Wine Competition, bringing home gold medals for their 2018 The Squire Shiraz and the 2019 Regional Riesling, plus two silver for their 2018 Regional Shiraz and 2019 Settler Riesling.
Kirrihill Wines also took out the coveted 2020 Sommelier’s Choice Awards in San Francisco this month, knocking out major competition from across the globe.
Under tough judging conditions, the 2018 The Squire was heralded as Shiraz of the Year and was further named Australian Wine of the Year.
Kirrihill Wines was founded in 1998 by two mates, Sean Edwards and Rob Stanway, with Matt Lawson coming on board in 2011, and becoming a part-owner in 2018.
Since the very beginning, the winery has lived up to its promise of capturing the essence of the Clare Valley, from vineyard to bottle.
“Winning this in the biggest and most discerning trade markets in the world is a stunning achievement for an Australian Shiraz, the Clare Valley and Kirrihill,” Sean said.
“We have been excited about this wine along every part of its journey and I’m pleased that the 2019 and 2020 vintages are also shaping up in much the same way.
“Quite simply, I’m delighted to attain this recognition from experts who actually decide on what international wines they stand alongside their food and service reputations to offer to increasingly demanding patrons.
“The fact that it was the only Shiraz in the world to achieve this high recognition blows me away, it’s just fantastic for Australia. I just wish we had more of it!”.
The Squire is a testament to the winery’s vision, having only been produced in 2014, 2016 and 2018 when the fruit is of exceptional quality.
It further forms part of the ‘EB Gleeson Range’ which pays homage to Edward ‘Paddy’ Gleeson, the founder of Clare Valley.
With its distinctive bold, inky mahogany red colour, the 2018 wine’s intense aromatics are complemented with powerful notes of dark roasted coffee, toasted almonds hints of dried fruit.
A plush and rich palate of char and spice flavours extend from careful oak barrel maturation, finished off with abundant tannins, giving the wine exceptional structure and length to the concentrated fruit core.
Remarkably, Kirrihill Wines’ successes across its 22-year history has resulted in more than 500 awards, achieved both domestically and internationally.
The recent medals come as the team witness hints of spring’s glory and are hopeful of predicted near-perfect conditions to bolster strong budburst across the vineyards.
The 2018 The Squire, which retails for $65, is available in independent retail outlets and premium restaurants or direct through Kirrihill Wines’ website at www.kirrihillwines.com.au.
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