Best’s, Great Western (Victoria, Australia) Shiraz 2016

 Best’s Great Western is a legendary Victorian winery.  From its lovely setting in the Grampian Mountains northwest of Melbourne, Best’s has been producing wines since 1868.  Today, in a wine world that seems to reward ever-more- alcoholic and powerful reds, they are most noted for exquisitely balanced and complex Shiraz wines.  The Bin No. 1 Shiraz is drawn from Best’s estate vineyards as well as trusted nearby growers.  It displays the balance and liveliness for which the estate is noted.  It offers ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit aromas enhanced by hints of blueberry, lavender, licorice, mint and spice.  The flavors are plush, layered and rounded, but still lively and bright, with blackberry and cherry fruit followed by subtleties of mint, vanilla, licorice and baking spice.  It is luscious and forward with velvety fruit, but its overall lift provides a refreshing character and allows it to stand out as a superior Shiraz, worthy of the Best’s Great Western name.