Mitchelton Imprint Victorian Shiraz, 2008

This is another fruit-oriented Aussie Shiraz--must be a trend. Berries, berries and more berries with very little oak and no intrusive tannins. There is an astringent herbal element in this wine, though, that counters some of the ripeness. If it were a French wine from the Rhone, I would say this was a result of whole bunch fermentation (with the stems). In this case, I think some of the grapes were picked slightly unripe to keep the alcohol level within reasonable limits.