Spitting: Optional
Yering Station Shiraz Viognier 2007
Vintage: 2007
Style: Mid to full bodied red
Country: Australia
Region: Heathcote/Yarra Valley VIC
Overview The blending of Shiraz with the white skinned variety Viognier originates from the Rhone Valley in France. In Australia it is a marketing decision as to whether to label a wine ‘Shiraz Viognier’ instead of ‘Shiraz’ because in most cases Viognier is added at under 15%. While there are people who believe they don’t like Shiraz Viognier but like Shiraz the truth is in most cases there is a little bit of Viognier into Shiraz in small amounts.
Viognier adds lift and perfumed aromatics to Shiraz. Like any big boof-head Shiraz needs a feminine counterpart to add an element of elegance.
Tasting note: The nose of this wine consists of dark fruit characters, plum and mulberry with cedar undertones. These luscious plum and berry flavours carry on to the palate supported by soft, chalky tannins. Finishes elegant and soft.
Final Say: A great staple or go-to drink. $25-$35
Score: 17 out of 20
For any questions or feedback feel free to email me on spittingoptional@gmail.com
I’m wondering if the tide has turned back to just labelling them as “shiraz” these days and the SV labelling was a fad (already)?? Yering Station seem to be one of a handful around still doing the SV’s. Might be interesting to compare this with the 07 Yarra Burn SV – which was actually fruit from the Pyrenees. Nice note by the way – got me thinking about those SV’s I don’t drink much of now…
Interesting you mention the SV fad, I know that when Wirra Wirra changed the labeling for the Catapault Shiraz Viognier to just ‘Shiraz’ they moved from the Shiraz Viognier niche to the massive bracket of ‘Shiraz’ and their sales suffered because of it.
But for some labelling it a shiraz and us not knowing it’s actually a SV is OK. Thinking of the Voyager Estate Shiraz as one example – until I read up on it on the website or someone told me (I can’t remember). Wondering now about all those refined Rhone style shiraz I was drinking a few years ago that had that wonderfully perfumed aromatics, etc. If it’s only 3 to 5 percent viognier, does it really matter if it is labelled shiraz or SV at the end of the day? The 15% rule is pretty handy, isn’t it. 🙂 Just call it shiraz and viva la difference!