Winery: Innocent Bystander

Vintage: 2010

Wine Name/Vineyard: Shiraz

Wine Category: Shiraz

Grape blend: 100% Shiraz

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Yarra Valley

State or country: Australia

Price: $23

ABV: 13.5%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  89 points

Review date: October 28, 2020

About the Winemaker: Innocent bystander’s red wines, including the Shiraz I’m reviewing today, are fermented in open top fermenters. This means, at least in part, wild yeast is used in their fermentation. The winery takes pride in letting their wines develop naturally with little “coaxed” processing. They grow their grapes and produce their wines in the Yarra Valley of Victoria Australia. Their local terroir helps Innocent Bystander to produce wines with bright character, smooth texture, and a long presence on the palate.

Color:  Scarlet with a touch of rust.  Rose gold rim.

Nose: Oak, blackberry, and a touch of vanilla

Taste: Blackberry, licorice, and fire roasted bell pepper. Finish: Sustained with strawberry, fresh mint, oak tannins and the slightest hint of cayenne.

Assessment: “This wine is a pleasure to drink. This lovely Shiraz walks the line between dainty and bold. It is an inter-mingling of styles. It has reserved and complex characteristics typical of a French wine, but also the physical “bruising” features of a big California red. The defining aspect of this Shiraz is bright acidity highlighted by plentiful fruit notes. The wine is silky smooth and coating, the finish goes on nearly forever, and there are just enough tannins to add structure and balance. Innocent Bystander managed to produce a fantastically balanced wine, I will be back for more.

Ready to drink now.

Innocent Bystander has produced a very good wine that offers something unique from wines produced in other regions around the world. It has a great price too! 89 points.

Pairing recommendation: Baked brie with apricot preserves, charcoal grilled ribeye, chocolate mousse.