Chapoutier, Domaine Tournon Shiraz or Syrah 2008, Australia
A decade ago, the idea of an established French winemaker making wine in Australia was almost unheard of, apart from a few big Champagne houses. But cross-cultural collaborations like this are a little more common nowadays, and in fact, Chapoutier has been in Australia with his Mount Benson project for some time. This Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria has a beautifully graphite-like lift on the nose, with a delicate smokiness, some floral notes and a clear balckcurrant fruit. The wine is unoaked, allowing the fruit to sing through on the palate, where it is medium-bodied and savoury, with the juicy, tart quality of biting into a fresh plum or black cherries, and a fresh, food-friendly finish. £14.49, Oddbins
