Overview
Yering Station Reserve Shiraz Viognier is the winery's flagship Shiraz Viognier, produced only in exceptional years from selected parcels of fruit. The 2017 release combines 98.9% Shiraz with 1.1% Viognier, delivering concentration and structure alongside the aromatic lift characteristic of the blend.
Vintage
Yering Station describes 2017 as a 1-in-20 season in the Yarra Valley. Optimal growing conditions produced balanced vines and beautifully ripened grapes, combining concentrated fruit flavour with intensity and power.
Viticulture
The majority of the fruit was hand picked from Coldstream, with the remaining portion sourced from the winery's premier site.
Winemaking
Shiraz and Viognier were co-fermented in open-top fermenters. The wine used 100% whole berries, which were cold soaked for five days, gently hand plunged twice daily and then pressed to barrel. Maturation took place in French oak barriques for 18 months.
Producer Tasting Notes
Yering Station: “Intensity of plum, black cherry and anise spice, with a hint of French oak.”
“Rich and complex with black fruits dominating the mid palate. Dark chocolate and earthy spices are complemented by super fine grain tannins. Ethereal and elegant with beautiful balance and structure.”
Critic Reviews
97 Points — Huon Hooke, The Real Review: “Deep, dark, concentrated. The bouquet is dusty, five-spicy and charming, with sweet nutmeg overtones, and a sprinkling of charred oak. The tannins are fine and firm, elegantly sculpted and the palate is tense, concentrated and very persistent. A classy wine of great elegance and ageworthiness.”
96 Points — Mike Bennie, Wine Business Magazine: “While the wine is thumping in its presence in glass, bouquet and palate, it’s not what you would call a ‘big red wine’, but there’s such a command in its presence when approaching it. It delivers dark cherry, violets and apricot suggestions, a touch of creamy vanilla oak and suppleness as a motif. It feels like pedigree from the first sip. It’s a distinct and distinguished wine and release.”
96 Points — James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion: “There is slightly less than 2% co-fermented viognier but it plays an important role in creating the highly fragrant and expressive bouquet. Yes, it’s vintage-driven with a riot of red and purple fruits, but the perfect structure and balance goes way beyond normal wines.”
94 Points — Jeremy Oliver: Drinking window 2029–2037.
Tasted January 2018
Specifications
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Vintage: 2017
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Producer: Yering Station
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Grape Variety: 98.9% Shiraz, 1.1% Viognier
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Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
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Alcohol: 14.0%
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Fermentation: Shiraz and Viognier co-fermented in open-top fermenters; 100% whole berries; five-day cold soak; hand plunged twice daily
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Maturation: 18 months in French oak barriques
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Drinking Window: 2029–2037
