Best's Wines Great Western Sparkling Shiraz 2021 is an exceptional Australian sparkling red from Victoria's historic Great Western region, showcasing the traditional Shiraz style synonymous with the area since the early 1900s. This 750mL bottle at 14.5% ABV represents a distinguished expression of regional winemaking heritage.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep magenta intensity with a purple hue. A rocky mousse fills the glass then subsides to reveal a lace of fine persistent bubbles.
Aroma
Pronounced bouquet of primary and secondary notes. Intense plum and blue fruits, coupled with black pepper spice and aniseed. Complex secondary notes of tanned leather emerge from maturation in barrel and extended time on lees in bottle.
Palate
Fresh primary fruits of black cherry and dark plum coupled with berry bramble. Secondary flavours of pepper spice, aniseed, and star anise create remarkable complexity. A creamy mousse with lingering acidity keeps this wine tasting fresh for any occasion.
Pairs With
This versatile sparkling Shiraz complements barbecued meats, char-grilled lamb, mature cheddar, game dishes, rich pâtés, and dark chocolate desserts, making it ideal for celebrations and festive gatherings.
The 2021 vintage benefited from modest crop levels, delivering concentrated fruit with regional spice and exceptional balance characteristic of Best's Great Western Vineyards.
Best's Great Western Sparkling Shiraz was re-introduced at Best's in 2006 after almost 40 years of absence. The sparkling Shiraz style is synonymous with Great Western and has been made in the region since the early 1900s, representing a proud continuation of Victoria's winemaking heritage. This traditional méthode is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, with the wine spending extended time on lees in bottle to develop complexity and that characteristic creamy mousse. Barrel maturation prior to secondary fermentation adds layers of tanned leather and spice, whilst preserving the vibrant primary fruit characters that define this distinctive Australian style.
Vintage Conditions
The vineyards set off to a great start in spring, but dry conditions prevailed throughout the remainder of the growing season. Crop levels were modest, providing Shiraz fruit of regional spice, concentration, and balance. These challenging yet favourable conditions resulted in smaller berries with intensified flavour compounds, delivering the pronounced plum, black cherry, and peppery spice notes that characterise this exceptional release. The 2020 vintage is an exceptional release of Sparkling Shiraz from Best's Great Western Vineyards, showcasing how thoughtful viticulture and ideal seasonal conditions combine to produce wines of remarkable depth and longevity.
