2008 Yalumba Hand-Picked Shiraz Viognier

Wine Enthusiast
"92 pts ... A consistent performer, Yalumba's Hand Picked Shiraz-Viognier seems slightly bigger and chunkier in 2008 than in the past, with bold fruit - blueberries and blackberries - accented by hints of mint. Expect some savory notes to develop over the next couple of years in bottle. "

James Halliday
"95 pts ... Deep in colour; a heady mix of black fruits, roasted meat, liquorice and thyme; the palate is thickly textured, full of gravelly tannins and toasty oak; long, rich and supple on the finish."

Winemaker's Notes
"This Shiraz Viognier wine is full depth red in colour with purple hues, and shows violet, wild berry and dark cherry aromas, meaty and spicy with black pepper hints. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with beautifully defined fruit, juicy right in the middle with a long, intense and elegant palate with black espresso-like tannins to finish."

Technical Notes
"96% Shiraz/4% Viognier. This is the second successive vintage of the Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier where we began utilising the skins only of the Viognier grapes in addition to the traditional method of co-fermenting select parcels of both Shiraz and Viognier grapes together. The skins on their own can often provide even more powerful aroma and texture and this helps create another dimension of flavour and complexity to this wine. Matured for nineteen months in 20% new French oak hogsheads, balance in older French (50%) and Hungarian oak hogsheads. Acid 6 g/L; pH 3.63 14.5% alc."