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.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.

Wine writer and critic