Accompanied: Spinach Quiche

Sealed: Screw Cap

Abv. 14%

Tasted: September  2009

Label Description:

Shiraz 92%, Viognier 8% (McClaren Vale, Australia)

Story: This winemaker mastered this blend in which the Viognier component plays a significant role. The Viognier and Shiraz were co-fermented and aged for 14 months in new French oak. this is a wine that you can drink now or cellar for years, we were only able to buy 700 cases of this wine.

Taste: The nose is all spice and savory dark and red berries. The palate is full and textured with a wonderful explosion combining of spicy dark fruits, dried citrus zest and integrated oak all combining beautifully with an abundance of soft sweet tannins. The Viognier produces lively lifted aromatics of light citrus conserve with great mid palate texture.

RATING:  Satisfied to Very Satisfied

I think you will see more of this in the future: Wine brands that do not actually make the wine themselves – the either source the juice as is or purchase and blend. An example of the former is 90+ Cellars (an example of the later is Cameron Hughes). This is one way a winery can sell excess inventory without reducing prices on their own brands. Often this can be a winner for the winery (reduces inventory albeit at lower revenue), for the wine brand such as 90 Cellars, and for the consumer ( we get to purchase the same wine under a different label at often substantial reduction). One of the interesting aspects of 90+ Cellars is that they only purchase juice that has already received a 90+ rating somewhere.

OK… let’s get to the tasting:

I am happy to say that for the most part I agree with the label – due to the co-fermented Viognier component, there are some very good aromatics immediately at first pour (although I noticed a bit of alcohol until it settled a few minutes). Plenty of dark fruit and agree red / black berries, some vanilla but not too much just enough to give it some complexity, and finally some solid tannins on the finish.

This again will not likely be of  great interest to those that are prone to Old World styles, but if you are not turned off by substantial fruit and a slight bit of hotness (the alcohol aspect dissipates fairly quickly so not an issue), this is certainly a solid bottle of wine particularly at $14.00. Recommended.