Wine Review: Chandon Shiraz Shines in the Yarra

Excellent fruit sources are key along with the hands of senior winemaker Dan Buckle.

With time spent doing vintages in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne – along with stints as winemaker at Coldstream Hills, Yering Station and Mount Langhi Ghiran – Buckle certainly knows his chops and has a knack for getting the best out of his vineyards.

The fruit sources for this particular wine are a mature, north–facing vineyard in Yeringberg near the winery and a warmer, west–facing vineyard in Coldstream where the vines eke out a living on harsher, rockier soils than the Yarra Valley floor itself.

The grapes are partially destemmed and three different treatments of up to 100 percent whole bunches are used, along with a cold soak to build suppleness into the wine. Post–ferment ageing in a mix of small and larger, old French oak completes the wine’s journey in the cellar. Deep purple/red in the glass with aromas of juicy plum and ripe summer berry fruits there are hints of mulberry, Asian spice, charcuterie and roasting meats and lighter tones of pepper, violets, musk and creamy French oak.

Medium–bodied on the palate, the aromas transpose neatly over onto the palate which is slippery and has a supple flow across the tongue. The wine trails off nicely with a vapour trail of ripe, spicy plummy fruit and gentle oak.

Good drinking.

Domaine Chandon 2015 Barrel Selection Shiraz