Balgownie Estate Black Label Sparkling Shiraz NV is a full-bodied, deep, and elegant sparkling red from Bendigo — hand harvested, open vat fermented with daily hand plunging, and crafted from the Shiraz vineyards first planted by Stuart Anderson in 1969. Deep, bright red-purple; fragrant raspberry, cassis, and mulberry aromas laced with an array of spices and lifted by fancy oak; concentrated and deep on the palate with firm, fine tannins in superb balance and a long, elegant finish. 92 points, Huon Hooke.
Appearance
Deep, bright red-purple — the rich, vivid colour of a full-bodied Bendigo Sparkling Shiraz from hand-harvested fruit, open vat fermented with daily hand plunging and a brief post-fermentation maceration to enhance the integration of fine tannins.
Aroma
Fragrant and incredibly attractive — raspberry, cassis, and mulberry laced with an array of spices and lifted by fancy oak. The expressive, layered bouquet of a Sparkling Shiraz from one of Bendigo’s most historically significant estates, with the depth and complexity that over 50 years of Shiraz growing on this land delivers.
Palate
Full-bodied and laden with tannin — concentrated and deep, with everything in superb balance and a long, long carry with a touch of elegance. Dark forest berries and cinnamon spice, with the fine tannin integration that daily hand plunging and post-fermentation maceration deliver. “A striking Shiraz bubbly.” — Huon Hooke, 92/100.
Pairs With
Turkey, ham, BBQ meats, and festive fruit cake — or slow-roasted lamb, aged hard cheeses, and rich game dishes. The full body, dark fruit depth, and firm tannins make Balgownie Black Label Sparkling Shiraz a deeply satisfying and celebratory partner for the finest food at the table. Serve lightly chilled.
Reviews
“Deep, bright red/purple colour. Fragrant berry aromas suggest raspberry, cassis, and mulberry, laced with an array of spices. The aromas are lifted by some fancy oak. Incredibly attractive. The palate is full-bodied and laden with tannin, which adds firmness, but the wine is concentrated and deep, and everything is in superb balance. Long, long carry and a touch of elegance. A striking Shiraz bubbly.”
92/100 — Huon Hooke
