ALL THAT SHIRAZ

Media Release:

With winter biting at the ankles of wine-loving Australians, it makes sense that the refrigerated section of the local bottle shop is quickly becoming lonely and abandoned, and the area dedicated to heart-and-soul warming red wines is understandably populated.

In conjunction with this seasonal shift, Blue Pyrenees Estate in Western Victoria has released two superb Shiraz, each with their own age and story – but both are equally appealing…

Blue Pyrenees Shiraz 2008   (RRP $20)

Blue Pyrenees Reserve Shiraz 2006   (RRP $35)

Andrew Koerner, Senior Winemaker at Blue Pyrenees Estate is thrilled for these two versatile releases to be hitting the stores, and feels that whatever the occasion – there is a Blue Pyrenees Shiraz to suit. The Blue Pyrenees Shiraz 2008 (RRP $20) is a true expression of it’s region, and although the 2008 vintage was a giant heat-wave for much of Australia, the grapes for this wine were picked at the optimal time making this medium bodied wine fresh and vibrant.

“Fortunately, we were able to pick all our Shiraz grapes prior to the heat-wave” Koerner says of the scorching 2008 vintage. “All of the Blue Pyrenees Shiraz is produced from parcels of fruit grown on low-yielding vines and the warm dry weather we experienced leading up to harvest were ideal ripening conditions for these exposed grapes.”

Whilst both wines are drinking beautifully now, The Blue Pyrenees Shiraz 2008 is one for all occasions where the Blue Pyrenees Reserve Shiraz 2006 will benefit from some careful cellaring and taken out and savored with some special friends.

The Blue Pyrenees Reserve Shiraz 2006 (RRP $35) came from a vintage ideal for producing full-bodied red wines with the traditional warm autumn conditions. Inspired by wines of Northern Rhone, this bright ruby red Shiraz has a touch of Viognier (2%) which was co-fermented with the Shiraz, plus three extra weeks of maceration to ensure maximum tannin extraction, firm structure and youthful hue.

“I am always impressed how these old estate vines can produce such wonderful variation in this versatile variety, while maintaining a wine style truly reflective of its terroir and vintage conditions” says Koerner of his much loved Shiraz wines.

Blue Pyrenees Shiraz 2008 RRP $20 is distributed nationally by Red+White and available in all leading wine retailers.

Blue Pyrenees Reserve Shiraz 2006 RRP $35 is available exclusively via the Blue Pyrenees website & cellar door (03) 5465 1111

NOTE TO READERS – Join the Blue Pyrenees Single Vineyard Wine Club for 20% off these wines plus the rest of the wide range of Blue Pyrenees wines.