Shiraz Viognier 2002

The first time that Tim incorporated fruit from the new north-east facing T & L Vineyard, which had been planted by the family. 6% Viognier; 30% whole bunches; two weeks on skins with 2-4 days pre-maceration; 12 months in oak with 1/3rd of that new, from Francois Freres, Sirugue and Bossuet. 14.2%. Tim believed this to be his “most Burgundian vintage” and it is one that he has always loved, describing it as “red fruits with mulch”. He provided 3 magnums for the event. Sadly, cork taint ruined two of them.

Fortunately, the one magnum not destroyed by errant tree bark was in great form. It opened a little reticently but soon blossomed. Red berries, raspberries, liqueur cherry notes. There are plenty of tannins but they are satiny soft. Nicely balanced and with decent length. No rush to drink this, though dodgy corks may impose a different view.

93

Full red-ruby. Meaty, spicy perfume of honeysuckle, apricot blossom and rose petal over funky aromas of undergrowth and farm floor, cassis, raspberry and boysenberry. A stylized and crafted wine whose elegant palate of intense, succulent small berry and plum flavors stretches the bounds of gamey, meaty spiciness and funk without any suggestion of spoilage or instability. Superbly intermeshed with fine, bony tannins; complex, classy, savory and very long. This is unlikely ever to be identified as an Australian wine without prior knowledge.