Peter Lehmann Clancys

Peter Lehmann Clancy's is a Barossa Valley red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Named five times in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year since 1997, Clancy's has established itself as one of Australia's most consistently recognized red blends at its price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Barossa Valley, South Australia  |  Red Blend  |  Winery: Peter Lehmann Wines

Production & Heritage

Peter Lehmann Wines is a cornerstone Barossa Valley producer, founded by the late Peter Lehmann — widely regarded as a champion of Barossa growers during the vine-pull era of the 1970s and 1980s. Clancy's takes its name from the protagonist of Banjo Paterson's celebrated Australian poem "Clancy of the Overflow," reflecting the wine's unpretentious, approachable character. The blend comprises Cabernet Sauvignon (37%), Shiraz (34%), and Merlot (29%), with each variety vinified separately through complete fermentation before blending and maturing for 12 months in a combination of new and used French and American oak hogsheads.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A deep cherry-red wine that opens with blackcurrant from the Cabernet component alongside vibrant red fruits contributed by the Shiraz and Merlot. Behind the fruit sits charry oak, peppery spice, floral lift, and subtle tobacco leaf.

Taste: The palate enters with rich plummy and bright red fruit flavors — raspberry, black cherry, wild blueberry, and blackberry. Mid-palate, earthy complexity emerges with chocolate, olive, and leafy notes. Long, savory tannins provide structure without heaviness, and the overall impression is soft, dry, and round.

Finish: Velvety in texture with lingering Earl Grey tea, cigar box, and mahogany details. The tannins carry through cleanly, leaving a satisfying, medium-length close.

How to Drink Clancy's

Clancy's drinks well at a slight cool — around 16–18°C — and benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of breathing after opening. Its balanced structure and moderate tannins make it versatile at the table. A classic Bolognese highlights the wine's plummy fruit and savory depth. Pour alongside grilled lamb chops to let the peppery Shiraz component shine. It also pairs naturally with a cheese board featuring aged cheddar, where the wine's oak-derived chocolate and tobacco notes complement the richness of the cheese.

Best For

• Introducing someone to quality Barossa Valley reds without a steep entry price
• Weeknight dinners that call for a reliable, food-friendly red
• A barbecue or casual gathering where crowd-pleasing versatility matters
• Building a mixed case of Australian wines for everyday drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clancy's taste like? Clancy's delivers rich plummy and blackcurrant fruit with underlying chocolate, tobacco, and earthy complexity, framed by soft, savory tannins. The blend of Cabernet, Shiraz, and Merlot creates a round, medium-bodied red with a velvety finish.

How does Clancy's compare to Wolf Blass Red Label? Both are iconic Barossa-linked blends at an accessible price tier, but Clancy's uses a fixed three-variety formula (Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot) aged 12 months in oak hogsheads, which tends to produce a more structured, savory profile. Wolf Blass Red Label leans toward softer, fruit-forward approachability and may vary in its blend composition between vintages.

Is Clancy's good for everyday drinking? Clancy's is widely regarded as one of Australia's best-value red blends for daily enjoyment, balancing quality fruit, oak maturation, and food-friendly tannins at a very approachable price point.

Where is Clancy's made? Clancy's is produced by Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa Valley, South Australia — one of Australia's most prestigious wine regions, known for bold Shiraz and rich red blends.

What foods pair well with Clancy's? Grilled lamb benefits from the wine's peppery Shiraz character. Slow-braised beef or a rich Bolognese matches its plummy depth. Aged cheddar and hard cheeses echo the oak-driven chocolate and tobacco notes. Pizza with cured meats works well against the wine's balanced tannins. Roasted eggplant and capsicum complement its earthy, savory side.

What sizes does Clancy's come in? Clancy's is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Clancy's worth the price? Clancy's sits firmly in the value tier of Barossa Valley reds, yet it delivers oak-aged complexity and a track record of critical recognition — including five appearances in Wine Spectator's Top 100 — that would be unusual at this price level from most wine regions.

Why Clancy's?

Few Australian red blends under the premium price threshold can claim five separate Wine Spectator Top 100 listings. That consistency across vintages reflects a disciplined approach: individually vinifying each variety, selecting the right oak balance between French and American barrels, and holding the wine for a full 12 months before release. Individual vintages have earned 90 points from Falstaff (2013 vintage), 89 points from Wine Spectator, and Gold medals at the Berlin Wine Trophy and China Wine & Spirits Awards. In a crowded field of Barossa blends, Clancy's earns its reputation through sheer reliability and overdelivery vintage after vintage.