Winemaker Notes
Blend: 99% Shiraz, 1% Viognier
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Unlike the rich, powerful Shirazes of South Australia, Western Australia's cooler climes produce wines more reminiscent of the Northern Rhône. Leeuwin's version swirls and twirls with notes of tangy orange rind, bright cherry, meat, cola and cumin spice. Light to medium bodied, it's silky and elegant but with some power too. Juicy fruit and savory tannins complete the package. Drink now.
Editors' Choice -
Wine & Spirits
Smooth and mellow, this shows its wood aging in scents of jarrah and in the gentle abrasion of its tannins. The cherry and spice flavors have good intensity without excess weight, touched by pleasant warmth in the finish. For grilled lamb.
Best Buy
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.