This is Johnno Harris’ bit of fun: “Hand crafted by our team of Curious Winemakers. Fermented, pressed, aged and bottled at our wine bar in the heart of Ballarat.” Love the label. Want to call him Dave. Fruit from the Peerick Vineyard. 50% Whole bunch shiraz and 5% Viognier co-fermented, matured in old oak. Bottled under Diam.

Mitchell Harris, Curious Winemaker, Shiraz, Pyrenees, 2017

Dense purple in the glass. Generous and giving nose with fragrant yet cool blood plum, spicy pepperberry with a meaty jus balancing peach slices. There’s fresh cool climate edge and the finish has black coffee bitterness. Tannins are fine and unobtrusive to continue the “open me now” theme. The time taken to finish the bottle is only limited by the corkscrew required.

RRP: $25
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 17.75/20

Wine sample courtesy of Mitchell Harris