The 2019 Shiraz Viognier is from a low-yielding (down around 15% to 20%), warm and dry year with some well-timed summer rain that allowed the vines to produce bright, lively fruit. The warm year brought higher alcohol with it (14.6% alcohol as opposed to the 13.2% of 2021), but the same 6% Viognier inclusion remains. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak. Where the 2021 is bright, delicate and lacy, this 2019 is denser, muscular and layered with dark, brooding, exotic spices, cocoa nib, licorice root, roasted meat rind and tobacco leaf. In the mouth, the tannins are the most pertinent feature: still powdery fine and shapely, earthy (black) and savory. At no point does any feature of the wine break ranks. There are no strays, no breakaways; this is seamless and contained from all angles. It is an astounding wine and proof that very quickly after release these wines morph into shades of what they will become in older age.

Effusive, polished and elegant, showing plush flavors of blood orange, raspberry and blueberry at the core, with details of Earl Grey tea, cumin, cloves and white pepper that linger on the long, expressive finish, where the tannins firm up. Shiraz and Viognier. Drink now through 2030. 2,250 cases made, 96 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / New South Wales / Canberra Select to Add