Bindi Pyrette Shiraz Heathcote, Victoria – 2018

Bindi is widely acknowledged as being one of Australia’s best small producers. It is situated at around 500m altitude in the cool climate Macedon Ranges, about an hour’s drive north of Melbourne. The winery is truly “boutique”, even by Burgundian standards, with only 7 hectares of vines, of which 5 hectares are planted with Pinot Noir and 2 hectares with Chardonnay. Total production is never higher than 3,000 cases per vintage. This Shiraz was sourced from a vineyard Bindi has worked with since 2001 in the cool, high altitude (by Australia standards!) neighbouring Heathcote wine region. It is fresh, with beautifully complex flavours of red and dark berries, plum and spice. The tannins are silky and fine and the overriding impression is one of elegance, balance and harmony. This is clearly a Pinot Noir winemaker’s Shiraz! 650 cases were produced. Drink now-2029. Serve with grilled lamb and Mediterranean vegetables The 2018 vintage has not yet been rated but the 2017 vintage was awarded 95pts by James Halliday in his 2020 Wine Companion