The 2024 imaginative and prescient of Australian Shiraz is each shocking and thrilling – and progressive producers within the nation’s southeast are demonstrating the flexibility of types and expressions that may be made on this first-rate area.
To discover what’s taking place inside this dynamic sector, you’ll want to go to Victoria, Australia’s second-smallest state, down in its southeastern nook. Particularly, you’ll must dive into the realm dubbed ‘Shiraz Central’ – dwelling to cool-climate Shiraz that’s thriving in typical Australian bush settings that unfold throughout seven distinct wine areas: the Grampians, the Pyrenees, Ballarat, Bendigo, Heathcote, Goulburn Valley and the Macedon Ranges.
How can all this be happening throughout such a broad space, you ask? One of the best ways to grasp is to go to a few of the greater than 120 cellar doorways open to the general public. Right here, you possibly can style the distinction between the totally different Shiraz interpretations throughout the state, and find out about a various terroir that’s enjoying a significant function in rewriting the fashionable Shiraz dialog.
Aussie pioneers
Pleasure round Victorian Shiraz isn’t any latest phenomenon. Finest’s Nice Western started producing Shiraz within the granite belt throughout the western Pyrenees area from 1866 – and has steadfastly maintained the eye of wine specialists, having gained Australia’s most well-known wine award, the Jimmy Watson Trophy, in 2012. Finest’s shaped a part of a pioneer Shiraz motion in Victoria that included such business stalwarts as Seppelt, Taltarni and Mount Avoca, and this has solely expanded and flourished since.
Credit score: SHERPA Tasks Pty Ltd for Wine Victoria.
A wealthy heritage – and new interpretations
There’s deep Shiraz custom to be discovered elsewhere within the state too – particularly at historic producer Tahbilk within the Nagambie area of central Victoria, which first planted Shiraz vines in 1860. Unsurprisingly maybe, such wealthy heritage has impressed younger mavericks to chart their very own course, embracing extra energetic fashionable types that make use of larger percentages of entire bunch fruit in ferments to carry perfumes with out amplifying physique weight or alcohol.
This has led to thrilling new interpretations of lithe, energetic Shiraz from the likes of Sutton Grange Property of Bendigo, Lyons Will Property of the Macedon Ranges and Place of Altering Winds which blends its Shiraz grapes from Heathcote and Bendigo supply vineyards.
Credit score: SHERPA Tasks Pty Ltd for Wine Victoria.
Rising stars
That is solely the tip of an enormous motion – and Victoria’s Shiraz story retains unfolding. There’s loads of room for a lot of types, and a number of astute interpretations of this grape selection. However the eye of wine aficionados should sweep broad throughout Victoria – for the search is to maintain discovering thrilling and expertly nurtured Shiraz wines of distinctive character, as they emerge, classic after classic.
Discover the area’s prime 5 latest DWWA winners
Naked Bones, Shiraz, Nice Western (Grampians), Victoria, Australia 2021
100% Shiraz
Ripe pink fruits, energetic white peppercorns and oaky spice with lashings of recent acidity, a lip-smacking texture and sustaining line of tannin. Lengthy and luxurious. 95 factors.
Trentham, Property Reserve Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria. Australia 2022
100% Shiraz
Darkish and concentrated wine, exhibiting layers of rose petals, black pepper, pink and black fruits. Juicy and mild, weighty palate. 94 factors.
Mount Langi Ghiran, Cliff Edge Shiraz, Grampians, Victoria, Australia 2021
100% Shiraz
Minty nostril, displaying spicy scents of cracked black pepper, vanilla and ripe black fruits. Heat and juicy palate. Lengthy end. 94 factors.
Taltarni Vineyards Property Shiraz, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia 2022
91% Shiraz, 7% Mourvèdre, 1% Viognier
Pink fruit and a touch of tobacco on the nostril, clove, spice, almond, liquorice and raspberry on the palate. 92 factors.
Blue Pyrenees Property, Richardson Reserve Shiraz, Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia 2020
100% Shiraz
Pretty spiced cherry nostril, whereas the palate is laced with vanilla, blackberry, spiced pepper, tobacco and a neat acidity. 93 factors.
Uncover extra about Wine Victoria
Join on
Fb | Instagram
Learn extra about Victorian wines
Victoria: An introduction to the state’s key varieties and types
Victoria’s Pinot Coast up shut
