Professor Bainbridge...on law, politics, religion, culture & food

Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier (Barossa Valley) 1998

This blend of 85% Shiraz and 15% Viognier is still going strong at age 10. Although it was eminently drinkable, it could have aged quite a while yet. The wine demonstrates the considerable synergies that these varieties produce when blended. Of course, with 500 years of history behind the blend in the Côte-Rôtie, there’s plenty of precedent on which Australian wine makers can draw.

Despite its age, this wine is still fresh and youthful. The shiraz component offers up pepper, spice, black currant, and dark berry. The viognier adds mostly textural elements I think, making for a soft, slightly sweet, and velvety mouth feel.

Grade: A-