Winemaker Notes
Opulent aromas of roses, violets and layered spices, ripe berries of every hue. Perfectly formed tannins frame complex fruit flavors across the palate. This wine will age magnificently.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In this 2015 Shiraz Viognier, the 30% whole-bunch component is evident on the nose, and it comes in the shape of tobacco leaf and bay leaf. It appears right before the cocoa nib, the licorice root, the star anise and the black tea, beckoning you in for a sip. Done. In the mouth, the wine is chewy and ethereal at once. The tannins are pumice-stone fine, very tightly knit and obliterated into the fruit. They contain the fruit flavors and allow them to sail over the palate into the long finish. As per usual, there is a 5.5% Viognier inclusion, and the wine spent slightly less time in oak than the neighboring 2019 tasted alongside—12 months in tight grain French oak barriques, 35% new. The 14.3% alcohol sits it squarely plum in the lineup. Excellent. The picture of balance. Best after 2022
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Vinous
Brilliant violet. Intensely perfumed black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied violet, cola and smoky minerals. Densely packed yet lively as well, offering sweet black raspberry and boysenberry flavors, a touch of salty olive and a bracing spine of juicy acidity. Shows outstanding clarity and powerful, spicy thrust on the persistent finish, which is framed by silky, even tannins.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.
Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.