2020 Estate Shiraz Viognier

winemaker's note

"The Millbrook Estate vineyard in the Perth Hills is a special site, in that the ripening of Shiraz and Viognier invariably occurs at the same time, allowing for the co-fermentation of the two varieties for this flagship Estate Shiraz Viognier. It's a favourite in the Millbrook restaurant when there's grass-fed lamb on the menu."

Julian Langworthy

colour

Deep ruby-red with purple hues.

aroma

Lifted notes of blueberry and blackberry with rich, warming spices.

palate

Rich, full and smooth on the palate with vibrant plum and blackberry fruit andsupporting toasty, cedar notes from extended oak aging. Long, smooth and beautifully structured on the finish.

cellaring

Although drinking beautifully on release, this wine will continue to develop for up to a decade from vintage.

vintage

The vines on the estate were planted in 1996 on a shallow, lateritic gravel ridge, with a south-west aspect. The year began with some late rain occurring in early February. Everything on the estate was still unripe and so wasn’t affected negatively. The remainder of the growing season was warm and dry which allowed for the fruit to ripen at full potential with no issue.

winemaking

Shiraz and Viognier from the estate were hand-picked on the same day. 75% of the fruit was destemmed and moved to open-topped fermenters where it was chilled to 12 degrees and held for two days. Fermentation occurred over a period of nine days and during this time, the wine was hand-plunged twice daily with pump overs on days four, five and six. Temperatures were strictly managed and did not surpass a maximum temperature of 28 degrees. The wine was then gently pressed in the tank to encourage malolactic fermentation before being racked to French hogsheads, 30% of which were new. It was then matured for 20 months before being blended and bottled in December 2020.

region

Perth Hills (Millbrook Estate) 

varieties

Shiraz

Viognier

analysis

• Alcohol: 14.5%

Western Australian fillet steak with a rich onion gravy.

Perth Hills Wine Show 2021

Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2023

Wow, there is plenty happening here. It’s dark and almost opaque in colour. Comes off a small vineyard on the estate which is very low-yielding. That accounts for the concentration and fruit power. The viognier is hidden at first but then merges with its spicy ginger and orange peel character.

95

Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate 2022

A little bit of Viognier goes a long way, and the 3% inclusion in this 2020 Estate Shiraz Viognier impacts heavily on the aromatics and indeed the color. It is a vibrant ruby in the glass, with a bouquet of rose petals, raspberry leaf tea and a hint of summer apricot. Beneath it all, there is a rumbling undercurrent of powerfully ferrous Shiraz fruit, shaped in the mouth by firm, structuring tannins. The Perth Hills is an underrated place, and this wine, in this warm and tannic vintage, shows what the little region is capable of. Impressive. 93+

93

James Suckling 2022

Aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, terra cotta and dust follows through to a full body with layered tannins and a savory, delicious finish. Juicy.

The West Australian Wine Guide 2023

Made exclusively from estate fruit from Millbrook’s stunning Jarrahdale site in the Perth Hills. The rich style of shiraz is complemented by 3 per cent viognier for added unctuous texture and sweet spice. Its surging power is impressive, showing marzipan, vanilla and plum pudding with a tapered spicy finish. Drinks well now and will cellar comfortably for 6 years or more.

90