Sparkling Shiraz
A unique Australian wine, Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz was re-introduced at Best’s in 2006 after a 30-year absence. Part of our proud history, the sparkling Shiraz style is synonymous with the Great Western and has been made in the region since the early 1900s. Releasing a sparkling version of Best’s famous Shiraz was a natural progression and a great opportunity for Best’s Great Western to refine the style of sparkling Shiraz from the region.
Great Western produces grapes that are exceptionally well suited to the Sparkling Shiraz style. During the process of reincarnating this style in the mid-2000s, Best's owner and patriarch Viv Thomson, as well as Ian Mackenzie (formerly Winemaker at Seppelt Great Western) were consulted to ensure the wine reflected the origins from whence it came, but also was characteristic of the regional style.
The Shiraz grapes are picked early, made in vats and have minimal oak treatment. The result is a wine with a medium body, which retains its freshness and intensity with age. Our goal is to ensure that Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz defines the Great Western region and is seen as an elegant, refined and well-balanced wine.
Current winemaker, Justin Purser has embraced the sparkling Shiraz project and has initiated some improvements, including using aged Liqueur Muscat material from old casks at Best’s as the dosage in the Sparkling Shiraz. Justin is also working closely with Ben Thomson in the vineyard to fine-tune the best vineyard block for the Sparkling Shiraz style.
The 2014 Great Western Sparkling Shiraz is a very dark red, with an opulent purple mousse and fine bubbles. Its complex bouquet displays layers of blueberries, plums, black olives, potpourri, fresh bread, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate the round and plush fruit flavours display notes of spice and all things nice. The savoury mouthfeel and fine bead of bubbles give this wine a long, persistent finish.
REVIEWS
Sparkling Shiraz 2010
"The 2012 WineStar Sparkling of the Year is a brilliant example of a style of wine that is very popular around this time of year. The team at WineStar have been huge fans of the Best's Sparkling Shiraz...ever since its re-introduction 2006 vintage. A deep, youthful purple with bright hues and lovely persistent mousse, it immediately exhibits lovely black pepper, spice, dark cherry and hints of chocolate. In the mouth it is a rush of complex, intense dark fruit characters - this is a serious wine - with brilliant acidity that cuts through the generous fruit sweetness and delivers a savoury finish. This is the product of an outstanding vintage and the quality shines through. Finished again under crown seal it is very much approachable now but of all the vintages of this I have tried, this one has the legs to be the most special yet."
Bert Werden, Winestar, 12 December 2012