Rutherglen Estate Sparkling Shiraz Durif 2024 is a rich, ruby-hued sparkling red from De Bortoli’s Burgoyne and Shelley’s vineyards on the eastern edge of the Rutherglen region — a blend of Shiraz and Durif selected for richness of fruit, great balance, and softness of tannins. Fresh red berries, chocolate, and spice enveloped in a velvety, creamy mousse; hints of darker berries and chocolate from careful oak ageing; a balanced palate with a touch of residual sweetness and chalky tannins. Complex, versatile, and unmistakably Rutherglen.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Rich ruby with a lively, vibrant effervescence — the deep, concentrated colour of a Rutherglen Sparkling Shiraz Durif blend, reflecting the richness of fruit from the Burgoyne and Shelley’s vineyards on the eastern edge of the region.
Aroma
Inviting and complex — fresh red berries lead with vibrancy and lift, joined by chocolate and spice that add depth and warmth. Hints of darker berries and chocolate from careful oak ageing of the Shiraz component add a further dimension of complexity to the aromatic profile.
Palate
Rich and velvety — fresh red berries, chocolate, and spice carry through on the palate, enveloped in a creamy mousse of genuine elegance. Chalky tannins provide structure and texture, with a touch of residual sweetness delivering balance and the versatility that defines the Rutherglen Estate Sparkling style.
Pairs With
A versatile sparkling red equally at home as a celebration wine or alongside rich food — roast duck, slow-braised lamb, beef, aged hard cheeses, charcuterie, and dark chocolate. Serve slightly chilled at 12–14°C for the best expression of fruit and mousse.
Who Should Drink This?
Rutherglen Estate Sparkling Shiraz Durif 2024 is for lovers of rich, complex Australian sparkling red who want the unique depth and character of a Rutherglen Shiraz Durif blend at an accessible price point. It’s a natural choice for anyone who appreciates the versatility of a sparkling red that works equally well as a celebration wine and a food partner — and a compelling introduction to the Rutherglen region’s exceptional red wine credentials.
Why Is Rutherglen Special?
Rutherglen is one of Australia’s most progressive and diverse viticultural regions — world-renowned for its iconic fortified wines (Muscat, Port, and Topaque), and equally celebrated for premium quality red wines and European white varietals. The Rutherglen Estate, acquired by De Bortoli Wines in 2018, sits at the heart of this celebrated region, with the Burgoyne and Shelley’s vineyards on the eastern edge delivering fruit of exceptional character from an interesting gravel, clay, and alluvial soil mix that creates a positive diversity of flavour profiles.
What Is Durif?
Durif — known as Petite Sirah in the United States — is a variety that thrives in Rutherglen’s warm continental climate, producing wines of exceptional depth, colour, and tannin structure. In the Rutherglen Estate Sparkling Shiraz Durif blend, the Durif component from selected blocks on the Shelley’s vineyard adds richness, depth, and the chalky tannin structure that gives the wine its distinctive texture and complexity alongside the Shiraz.
What’s Similar?
Fans of Rutherglen Estate Sparkling Shiraz Durif may also enjoy Hancock & Hancock Shiraz Cuvée NV for a McLaren Vale sparkling Shiraz comparison, or Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz for a multi-regional Australian benchmark. For a step up in complexity within the Rutherglen sparkling red category, single-vintage expressions from the region’s top producers are worth exploring.
