This is a bit chunkier and less suave than De Bortoli’s more expensive estate bottled Shiraz-Viognier, but it’s still a very nice wine. Peppery spice marks the nose, while the flavors feature a nice blend of plum with savory notes of coffee and black olives. Drink now–2015.——J.C.(2/1/2011)—— 88

(Victoria) Dark plum, savoury, earthy ginger and orange spice nose. Chocolate and ripe jammy palate with supple tannins and fresh bite.

The 2006 Shiraz – Viognier Gulf Station contains 5% Viognier. It was aged for 10 months in 20% new French oak It is purple-colored with blueberry muffin aromas uplifted by the Viognier component. Elegantly styled, the wine is firmly structured with tannin lingering into the finish. A few years in bottle should round the wine out and it will provide pleasure through 2017. De Bortoli owns estate vineyards in Riverina, Hunter Valley, and Yarra Valley and produces several tiers of dry table wines in addition to their sweet and fortified dessert wines.Importer: De Bortoli Wines, North America; www.debortoli.com.auAlso tasted: 2007 Sauvignon Blanc- Semillon Windy Peak (75), 2007 Viognier Windy Peak (80), 2006 Pinot Noir Vat 10 (78), 2007 Pinot Noir Windy Peak (72), 2006 Pinot Noir Estate Grown (82?), 2006 Shiraz, McLaren Vale