Sixty-Second Swirl by Brent Lello, Yass Valley Times Wine Columnist
Shiraz Viognier is a blend that originates from the motherland of the two varieties – the Northern Rhone Valley in France. Some wineries in the Yass Valley region were some of the first in Australia to adopt the blending of Shiraz with a small amount of the white variety Viognier, during the fermentation process. The resulting wines generally have all the cool climate Shiraz characters we expect and love but are overlaid with a lovely floral fragrance induced by the Viognier. Today, there are many examples to choose from and in my opinion, one of the absolute cracking versions getting around is the subject of this week’s “swirl” – the McKellar Ridge Shiraz Viognier 2021.
Mckellar Ridge Wines Shiraz Viognier 2021
This S-V is an attractively deep dark garnet in the glass with flashes of purple at the edge. A swirl reveals alluring aromas of blackberry, ripe red cherry and blood plum, with classic cool climate spice notes of cracked white pepper and crushed clove. Added to this is the Viognier-induced fragrance of crushed violets. The palate is fully fledged and tongue coating with ripe, dark berry fruit flavours, soft and silky tannins, leading to a long and luxurious finish. NOTE: This version is hugely popular with the punters and may not be available, BUT they do have an “Extended Cellaring” version of the same wine available, which I am sure will be even better.
Winemakers John Sekoranja & Marina Claire recently took home the Best Red Wine of Show Trophy at Murrumbateman’s 2022 Australian Cool Climate Wine Show
We enjoyed our bottle with a slow-roasted shoulder of lamb with all the trimmings but would go very well with any red meat dish – slow braised or chargrilled. I bought mine directly from John and Marina at the cellar door at the top of Euroka Avenue in Murrumbateman, but you can buy it online for $50.
