Yering Station Reserve Shiraz Viognier 2020

What a beauty! Black cherries, pressed violets, strawberries and cream – the aromas erupt from the glass as you pour. The fruit is perfectly ripe and fresh – not a hint of jamminess; intensity with elegance. Time in the glass reveals darker tones – black plums and a hint of earthy granite. The gentle seduction continues on the palate with bright red cherries, raspberries and plump blueberries. Delicate baking spices – cinnamon and nutmeg, vanilla pods, a whisper of orange zest – paired with earthy fruit giving rhubarb crumble vibes.  There’s crunchy red apple acidity adding a refreshing lift, and enough fine, ripe tannins to promise longevity in the cellar – if you can wait. Glidingly smooth on the palate, I really wanted this to last forever. Pair with meltingly tender beef cheeks and silky mashed potato on a date night.

Nicole Bilson

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

Wine tasting