The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2004

Epicurean imports this attractive looking and sounding bottle of Australian, which they describe as the "bigger sibling" of Woop Woop.

The blend is 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier, from Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale. The color is a wow-bright grapey crimson. The wine opened up quickly to be complex, balanced, and layered with aromas of blueberry, vanilla, oak, chocolate, and a bit of smoke, black pepper, gravel, and honeysuckle (from the Viognier). The palate is tart, juicy, peppery/spicy, not sweet. The finish is vibrant, structured, but polished and lasting. The closure is a screw cap.  That's a lot of good to say about a $17 wine (Nashville), so include it in a mixed case of everyday reds.

Comments

[Barbara]

I've noticed a couple of write ups on the Shiraz/Viognier blend coming out of Australia. Hopefully I'll get to try some when I'm there next month as I have not seen any in NZ yet.

[Christian Colby]

I tasted this Shiraz/Viognier at a show in Bay Harbor, MI. Complex and unlike anything I have ever tried. Smokey and dirty for sure, not sweet. A popular wine at this show.