Schubert The Lone Goose Shiraz Viognier 2022

The continued Goose theme which runs through the wines from this Estate suggests that they have enjoyed a far kinder history with these evil emissaries from avian hell than myself (best not to ask – painful memories and all that – even if one is tempted to recommend that every wine be served with some form of cooked goose), but one won’t hold that against them. As always, a compelling collection of cracking Barossa reds. The fruit for this classic Cote Rotie blend comes from Blocks 1 and 3 in the Estate vineyard, which does include a small section of the Viognier. Around 3% Viognier is included in the blend, and the grapes are co-fermented. Under cork. Deep maroon in colour, this is an earthy style with notes of black fruits, aniseed, cloves, plums, black cherries, smoked meats, coffee beans, blackberries and chocolates. Fresh and lifted on the palate, there is decent length here, but perhaps not quite as much as some of the wines in this collection. There is juicy acidity providing energy throughout and the wine finishes with satiny tannins. Enjoy this over the next eight to ten years.