Buller 2004 Valerie Shiraz Viognier Sept 05

 

The nose of this wine seems to be reminiscent of 50% John Wayne and 50% Nicole Kidman; as well as some cigar box tones, there is a huge amount of big spicy Shiraz component together with a more feminine lifted floral apricot aspect. The wine weighs in at (only) 16% alcohol which is almost sedate by Buller's standards; it shows no excessive warmth on the palate and has been very well managed. On the uptake, the wine is intensely savoury with abundant chocolate, and the acid provides a refreshingly crisp lift; it finishes to dark chocolate, mocha and apricot. There seems to be a slight hint of green to the apricot finish but it certainly does not detract. A full-bodied wine, the abundant fruit is well backed by almost unobtrusive dusty tannins. It certainly packs a wallop of flavour and whilst it is not my favourite sort of wine, it will be hugely successful in the marketplace. Rated as Recommended with *** for value ($35) this Kookaburra will laugh at a Magpie. About 2,000 bottles produced.