Azure Bay South Eastern Australia Shiraz 2002
Winemaker Notes
Winemaking Azure Bay 2002 South Eastern Australia Shiraz is a complex, yet easy to drink wine. This wine is brambly and jammy, with smooth layers of deep berry flavors. The finish of this Shiraz is heightened with nuances of pepper and spice.
Food Recommendations Try this enjoyable Shiraz with grilled red meats and rich stews. For the more adventurous, the complex berry flavors of this Shiraz will also pair very well with broiled lamb chops, drizzled with a peanut sauce.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.