Yarra Valley Estate Grown Shiraz Viognier 2007

86 Points
"Moderately smoke tainted, a factor that is becoming more obvious with time in the bottle. Dull, ashtray-like aromas with some spicey red and black plum/berry fruit precedes a smooth, reasonably long and savoury palate that is becoming more bitter, metallic and smoky as it ages."

Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual 2012, October 2011

USA
89 Points
"De Bortoli winemaker, Stephen Webber operates on a somewhat contrarian level, so this is not a cuddly Shiraz-Viognier loaded with apricot notes. Instead, it features savory, meaty aromas lifted by peppery elements and black olive, espresso and tart plum flavors. It's medium bodied, firmly structures and should age through at least 2020."

Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast - USA, January 2011

90 Points

rating given; no review

James Halliday, AustralianWine Companion 2011, August 2010

, The Examiner , April 2010

92 points
"The smell of the soil on the nose is followed with grip on the palate; fruit is there but kept under at the moment. Still needs more bottle age for all to integrate but all the good points are there"

, The Krow Issue 25, February 2010

USA
Much like Yalumba, Wine Enthusiast's 2009 New World Winery of the Year, De Bortoli is a family owned wine company that is gaining ground even in tough economic times. Aside from the legendary Noble One dessert wine, the top wines from De Bortoli stems from the family's estate vineyards in the Yarra, where Chief Winemaker Stephen Webber makes wines that accurately reflect their cool Victorian roots. His 91 point 2007 Reserve Release Shiraz shows a lot of earthy, savory characters at moderate alcohol levels, but with only 150 case imported it will be hard to find. The 2007 Shiraz Viognier is not – like so many Shiraz Viogniers – a soft cuddly blend loaded with apricot notes. Instead, it features savory, meaty aromas lifted by peppery elements and black olive, espresso and tart plum flavors characteristic of the region and Webber's somewhat contrarian winemaking. It's medium bodied, firmly structured and should age through at least until 2020.

, Wine Enthusiast, January 2010

95 points

"Made by a team of Pinot masters. It's a little wonder that this is a seductively silky wine. Maker Steve Webber cares more for charm, character and detail than he does for varietal flavour, and wines like this show why. Layered with spice and ultra-fine tannins. It's a beautifully polished style with the texture of a Grand Cru."

Tyson Stelzer, WBM, December 2009

91 Points
"The 2007 Shiraz-Viognier (5%) spent 10 months in barrel. Dark ruby-colored, it sports an alluring nose of cedar, Asian spices, incense, bacon, and blueberry. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, this sweetly-fruited, impeccably balanced wine will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well from 2011 to 2019"

Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, November 2009

Shiraz Viognier blends are all the rage, but do they last? That was the theme at a recent blind tasting featuring a dozen Australian wines from 2005. Most were travelling exceptionally well, with De Bortoli's Yarra Valley wine rated one of the best. This release should keep pretty well too. But given its vibrancy and attractive spicy red fruit characters, few bottles will have the chance. Shiraz with pizzazz.

Mark Smith, , August 2009

95 points
"Pretty sexy stuff. It slinks through he mouth, all plums wrapped in satin wrapped in kisses. There's a host of pepper spice resting in the background and cedary oak that has been taken up fully by the wine's layers of fruit flavour. A gorgeous sense of finesse. And length. A wine that does youth beautifully."

Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh, The Big Red Wine Book 2009/10, June 2009

"A fabulously vivacious nose – the herbal smoky red bite of roasted paprika. Succulent juicy fruit. Peppery spice. Lithe. Drink 2009-12."

Tamlyn Currin, www.jancisrobinson.com (UK), February 2009