The Chook Shiraz/Viognier
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Chook Shiraz Viognier is sourced from the premium grape growing regions of McLaren Vale and Padthaway in South Australia.
- McLaren Vale is known for growing Shiraz which is full flavored, ripe, and balanced. It has a Mediterranean type climate, experiencing winter dominant rainfall and warm, dry summers that are tempered by the proximity of the Gulf of St. Vincent.
- The Padthaway wine region, planted in 1964, has a well established reputation for producing premium quality grapes across a wide range of varieties, including Shiraz. Chosen for its rich, diverse soils, underground water supply and Mediterranean climate.
Varietal Composition: 96% Shiraz 4% Viognier
Elaboration: grapes were co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier which adds a vibrant perfumed aroma, stabilizes the deep, rich color and gives the wine fine, supple tannins. Each vineyard parcel was vinified and matured separately and oak was selected to best suit and express the nuances of each vineyard block. The final wine was blended after 12 months of oak maturation.
Tasting Notes: Bright aromas of red cherry, berries and plum fruits with hints of licorice, mocha and spice. Generously loaded with dark fruits, the palate is balanced by fine, supple tannins and lingering spice notes. A soft, round Shiraz with great fruit length, generosity and drinkability.
PRESS
2015 – 90 Vinous
2017 – 90 James Suckling
2018 – 91 James Suckling
2019 – 92 Sam Kim | 91 Natalie MacLean
2020 – 91 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Utilizing premium fruit from McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Adelaide Hills in Southern Australia, The Chook struts affordable wines to be enjoyed and adored, shared and celebrated! Careful vineyard selection teamed with exceptional winemaking by Alexia Roberts and an emphasis on consistent varietal expression produces wines with approachability, generosity and character that really are something to cluck about.
“As we scratched around for a name for the first Shiraz/Viognier, an obviously interested black chook stopped in its unplanned tracks, lingering, as only chooks do, just long enough for the penny to drop. For its trouble, we immortalized that single Black Chook, rationalizing that it had come from a small white egg; just as our dark, inky, black Shiraz had been transformed by a tiny amount of fragrant white Viognier.”
Chook? It’s Australian for chicken.