I do love how the Hunter Valley alumni have spread their wings across the Australian wine landscape and given the old Hunter River Burgundy blend some serious reach. Cool climate regions seem to be thriving with it at present, with the Yarra Valley a hot spot, and now Jeff Byrne has entered the fray with this superb Shiraz Pinot Noir from his patch in Orange.
It's not Byrne's first rodeo, with previous vintages clearing the fence with a home run. Cool, composed and considered, much like its maker, this is a wine well worth seeking out.
Silky, vibrant and dangerously moreish, it glides effortlessly across the palate with an elegance that's hard to resist. A purple flower and violet perfume skips from the glass before pristine blue and purple fruits flood the palate, delivering purity and freshness in equal measure. A subtle dusting of spice adds just enough intrigue without interrupting the flow. It absolutely oozes cool climate character, balancing energy with poise and finesse. It's incredibly easy to enjoy now, bursting with youthful charm, though there's enough structure to see it evolve comfortably over the medium term, assuming you can resist the temptation to open every bottle well before then. A beautifully judged blend that's all about freshness, drinkability and class. Boom!
95/100
Region: Orange
