2014 Best's Great Western Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz is a unique Australian wine that’s synonymous with the Great Western region having been in production since the early 1900’s. The base wine for this Cuvee is left on yeast lees in bottle for 20 months or more and disgorged in the traditional method. The dosage liqueur contains a small quantity of very old Best’s Liqueur Muscat.

An Australian Classic at the Christmas table – this is the go-to wine for Sparkling Shiraz.

Pours with a very frothy purple tinged mousse which leaves behind it an opaque black dark red base coloured wine that’s carefully threaded by a very fine stream of tiny bubbles. Pronounced ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum aromatics hold sway over toasty vanillin oak, subtle chocolatey earth and spicy pepper end notes. Rich and intensely flavoured the palate is awash with ripe plush black fruits that include blackberry, liquorice and dark plums underpinned by toasty vanillin oak, traces of earth and spice. Dry earthy tannins largely concealed by the plushness of fruit. Excellent concentration with an opulent yet vibrant mouthfeel. Finishes dry with good freshness and a long blackberry, liquorice, dark plum, toasty vanillin oak, earth and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Deep red colour with a trace of purple. The bouquet is savoury, with dried herb and earthy notes, traces of vanilla, chocolate and spices. The wine is rich and medium to full-bodied, with appropriate mid-palate sweetness followed by drying but soft tannins and a touch of licorice. There's a pleasant touch of bitterness on the finish and aftertaste, which helps cleanse the palate. Good length and balance.
95 points
Huon Hooke