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Fast Facts: Country: Australia Region: Pyrenees and Heathcote, Victoria Winemaker: Steve Flamsteed Variety: 95% Shiraz, 5% Viognier Oak: 16 months – French Closure: Cork RRP: $20 AU |
This is the first time that Yarra Burn has produced a Shiraz with a Viognier component. As I’ve mentioned before, it seems to be the current trend amongst cool-climate Australian Shiraz to add a small touch of Viognier to add an extra floral lift to the nose of these wines.
A little bit about the winery:
Yarra Burn is situated in the cool climate of the Yarra Junction since having been established in 1975.
Yarra Junction is part of the upper Yarra Valley and was named due to the railway junction that the town developed around.
Yarra Burn has been owned by the BRL Hardy wine group since 1995 but quality seems to have remained excellent with their flagship “Bastard Hill” Chardonnay consistently superb.
Established: 1975
Cases produced per year: 15000
Exports to: UK & USA
Website: http://www.yarraburn.com.au/
Tasting Note: Light purple in colour. Peppery spice on the nose and a perfumed floral and violet component, undoubtedly due to the addition of 5% Viognier. A dash of plum and pepper blended with just the right amount of oak on the palate. A smooth, rounded mouthfeel with a medium length finish. Technically nothing wrong at all, but just lacked that something special.
Drinking Window: At its peak now, I would be drinking this reasonably shortly, say in the next 6-12 months.
Score: 88 points, with a value rating of Average.
See “How to interpret my scores” for an explanation of how the above scores were reached.