Innocent Bystander
Mea Culpa Yarra Valley Shiraz
Yarra Valley, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia
Very Northern Rhone in style. Often read descriptions saying Bacon notes but rarely get it - definitely shows here along with some spice and pepper. 100% whole bunch wild yeast Fermentation. Medium intensity - savoury with soft black fruits. Does Steve Flamsteed ever make a bad wine - another great effort. Tasted again 172 weeks later on 18th February 2022 with similar notes and enjoyment. Tasted again 177 weeks later on 25th March 2022. Excellent Syrah in the northern Rhone style. Bacon and Charcuterie notes with spice and pepper. Cured meat - savoury and delicious. Won the Trevor Mast Trophy for best Shiraz at Royal Melbourne. Had another bottle 238 weeks later on 26th May 2023 with consistent notes. An absolutely brilliant Shiraz in the Northern Rhone style. Cured meats; savoury. I can see why it won best Shiraz at Royal Melbourne.
Very Northern Rhone in style. Often read descriptions saying Bacon notes but rarely get it - definitely shows here along with some spice and pepper. 100% whole bunch wild yeast Fermentation. Medium intensity - savoury with soft black fruits. Does Steve Flamsteed ever make a bad wine - another great effort. Tasted again 172 weeks later on 18th February 2022 with similar notes and enjoyment. Tasted again 177 weeks later on 25th March 2022. Excellent Syrah in the northern Rhone style. Bacon and Charcuterie notes with spice and pepper. Cured meat - savoury and delicious. Won the Trevor Mast Trophy for best Shiraz at Royal Melbourne. Had another bottle 238 weeks later on 26th May 2023 with consistent notes. An absolutely brilliant Shiraz in the Northern Rhone style. Cured meats; savoury. I can see why it won best Shiraz at Royal Melbourne.
Oct 31st, 2018Very primary on nose and palate being a 2014. Aromatic peppery spicy aromas- apparently 100% whole bunch which is becoming a trend for progressive winemakers. Sweet spicy peppery and plummy on the palate. Love this style of Shiraz more than the SA blockbusters but there is a place for both. Winner of the Trophy for Best Shiraz in 2015 at the Melbourne Wine Show.
Very primary on nose and palate being a 2014. Aromatic peppery spicy aromas- apparently 100% whole bunch which is becoming a trend for progressive winemakers. Sweet spicy peppery and plummy on the palate. Love this style of Shiraz more than the SA blockbusters but there is a place for both. Winner of the Trophy for Best Shiraz in 2015 at the Melbourne Wine Show.
Dec 4th, 2016
Massive Syrah from. 2013 in Yarra valley . Wow! Deep Dark Fruits.. Very Impressive tried with 2011,2012.@ winery with team!
Massive Syrah from. 2013 in Yarra valley . Wow! Deep Dark Fruits.. Very Impressive tried with 2011,2012.@ winery with team!
Oct 21st, 2014Deep garnet (almost ruby) hue with medium-high saturation. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, chocolate, coffee, cream, licorice, mint, pepper, sage, smoke, tar, and vanilla. Medium-full body; medium-plus tannins; and medium-plus acidity. A complex and ever-evolving nose; a smooth yet chewy mouthfeel; and a silky, spicy finish. Not a typical full-bodied Australian Shiraz; the "Red Dog" Syrah clone gives added balance, elegance, and aromatics. Biodynamic. Outstanding QPR (on sale at K&L).
Deep garnet (almost ruby) hue with medium-high saturation. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, chocolate, coffee, cream, licorice, mint, pepper, sage, smoke, tar, and vanilla. Medium-full body; medium-plus tannins; and medium-plus acidity. A complex and ever-evolving nose; a smooth yet chewy mouthfeel; and a silky, spicy finish. Not a typical full-bodied Australian Shiraz; the "Red Dog" Syrah clone gives added balance, elegance, and aromatics. Biodynamic. Outstanding QPR (on sale at K&L).
Jun 20th, 2020
Unusual for an Aussie Shiraz with a relatively low alcohol content at 13%, lending it a medium-bodied but elegant feel. I must admit to being perplexed by the wine. I was expecting a much more powerful style, but to me this is a quite delicate wine, albeit with great finesse and length.
The wine has a very striking floral perfume, with plumb and red berry fruits set against a subtle but multi-layered background of spice, violets and aniseed. A very well structured wine, with finely integrated tannins, the oak barely noticeable except for a slight vanillin flavour on the back palate.
A lovely Yarra Valley shiraz, but I can’t help but think I’ve caught it mid-journey. I almost feel embarrassed to have interrupted its journey. I’ll check in on it again in a few years time to see if its nearer its destination.
Unusual for an Aussie Shiraz with a relatively low alcohol content at 13%, lending it a medium-bodied but elegant feel. I must admit to being perplexed by the wine. I was expecting a much more powerful style, but to me this is a quite delicate wine, albeit with great finesse and length.
The wine has a very striking floral perfume, with plumb and red berry fruits set against a subtle but multi-layered background of spice, violets and aniseed. A very well structured wine, with finely integrated tannins, the oak barely noticeable except for a slight vanillin flavour on the back palate.
A lovely Yarra Valley shiraz, but I can’t help but think I’ve caught it mid-journey. I almost feel embarrassed to have interrupted its journey. I’ll check in on it again in a few years time to see if its nearer its destination.
Fragrant and floral nose breaks through the dense fruit, and refreshing to taste an Aussie Shiraz <14%.
Fragrant and floral nose breaks through the dense fruit, and refreshing to taste an Aussie Shiraz <14%.
Aug 28th, 2015
