Black Billy Shiraz 2006

Black Billy Shiraz 2006 (Mclaren Vale, SA) Screwcap, $20

Dark red colour. Tarry, slightly volatile, heated nose. I’m sticking my neck out and guessing there is some Viognier in there too – it has that tinned fruit edge to the nose which I don’t like (Correct, double checked on the website – 1% Viognier). Why would you bother with Viognier in an area like McLaren Vale that has no problem producing richly fruited reds already?

But back to the wine. The palate on this is a winner – its a typically McLaren Vale Shiraz in its shape and flow – a pure, chocolate-oak-meets-rich-fruit-and-falls-in-love partnership that Australia, as a wine making nation, does so well. Yes, this is a wine that will win friends and influence everyday with its rich drinkability. I can’t see why they bothered with the Viognier element (Does anyone know? Marketing ploy?) but I understand the rest of the wine. The acid on the middle/back sticks out a bit, but the winemaking is assured. Good drinking fair. 17