Castagna Sauvage shiraz/viognier 2000

[Mark S]

Now I see what all the fuss about shiraz/viognier blends is about! this is a truly delicious wine, very fresh, fruit-forward, with real zest - a wine that sings - feels like the inside of one's mouth is physically refreshed with each gulp. Aromatic, medium-bodied, would suit many foods. Eminently drinkable immediately on opening - not sure what cellaring or lengthy decanting would do to it, suspect it would not improve. A wine you know you'll finish that night, regardless.

[Wizz]

I Agree Mark, this is the way to do the Shiraz Viognier blend. I'm a bit concerned with some others that they've taken the Viognier percentage up way too high, but the 00 Sauvage is a cracker. I'm just kicking myself I didnt get any Genesis!

If you can get your hands on the 01 Yering Station Reserve, it is also very, very good.

cheers

Andrew

[Gavin Trott]

Hi

Experience limited, but I think too much Viognier can be a mistake, seems to me less than 5% is usually about right, those with up to 10% or more seem to get too much apricot and move away from the flavour profile of a red wine?

I could be proved wrong.

BTW the 00 Suavage was great, but the Genesis was outstanding, much more depth and very tight structure.

[Wizz]

I'm leaning the same way, the moreSh/Viognier blends I try, the more I like the versions with just a little bit of Viognier.

The Laughing Magpie is case in point for me, I keep thinking I should like this wine, but I'm finding I don't, and wonder if this would be better with less viognier or none at all (caveat: havent had the 02 yet). Perhaps the viognier aromatics go better with more elegant, perfumed shiraz?

Dunno. Always learning.

cheers

Andrew

[michel]

If you can get your hands on the 01 Yering Station Reserve, it is also very, very good.

Andrew
I have been looking around the traps in Bris and havent seen it.
Have you tried the Clonakilla 2001 yet - I havent but have a bottle.
From the sound of it you may find the viogner too dominating on the Henry Seven from Henschke- I have tried it twice and really struggled.
cheers
michel

[Wizz]

If you can get your hands on the 01 Yering Station Reserve, it is also very, very good.

Andrew
I have been looking around the traps in Bris and havent seen it.
Have you tried the Clonakilla 2001 yet - I havent but have a bottle.
From the sound of it you may find the viogner too dominating on the Henry Seven from Henschke- I have tried it twice and really struggled.
cheers
michel

Michel, The Yering Station wasnt mine, but it was sourced locally in Brisbane, at a notable bottle shop in the Valley.

I've had the Henschke, couldnt find much appeal in it either. I think the bit that turned me off was the grenache and viognier together.
I haven't tried the 01 Clonakilla either.

cheers

Andrew

[michel]

Andrew
I will go and say hello to Andrew in the Valley
do reckon it is as good as the Penguin Wine Guide Says ?
cheers
michel

[Wizz]

Andrew
I will go and say hello to Andrew in the Valley
do reckon it is as good as the Penguin Wine Guide Says ?
cheers
michel

Michel I'm not much of a book buyer (I haven't bought the Penguin guide for about 10 years), so I cant compare. I'm not a fan of the 100 point scale but I've started to use it: I'd be rating the Yering Station around 94.

cheers

Andrew

[michel]

Thanks Andrew
94 sounds pretty good for a Yarra Shiraz-last one I had was a Warramate or a yarra Yerring about 10 years ago.
cheers
michel

[underoaked]

I'm leaning the same way, the moreSh/Viognier blends I try, the more I like the versions with just a little bit of Viognier.

The Laughing Magpie is case in point for me, I keep thinking I should like this wine, but I'm finding I don't, and wonder if this would be better with less viognier or none at all (caveat: havent had the 02 yet). Perhaps the viognier aromatics go better with more elegant, perfumed shiraz?

Dunno. Always learning.

cheers

Andrew

Andrew
You still looking for Shiraz viognier?
Not really my style
Cheers
Underoaked

[underoaked]

I'm leaning the same way, the moreSh/Viognier blends I try, the more I like the versions with just a little bit of Viognier.

The Laughing Magpie is case in point for me, I keep thinking I should like this wine, but I'm finding I don't, and wonder if this would be better with less viognier or none at all (caveat: havent had the 02 yet). Perhaps the viognier aromatics go better with more elegant, perfumed shiraz?

Dunno. Always learning.

cheers

Andrew

Wizz
You still looking for Shiraz viognier?
Not really my style
Cheers
Underoaked