Fowles, Victoria (Australia) Shiraz 2018

 Take a look at a map of Australia and you will see the region of Victoria on the southeastern tip of the continent, above the island of Tasmania.  The Fowles family’s vineyards and winery are in the high-altitude, cool climate region of Victoria located in the middle of Strathbogie Ranges.  They own and manage two vineyards called Upton Run and Billi’s with a total of 360 acres of vines.  They note that 2018 was a comfortably warm year so the grapes were perfectly ripened while maintaining balancing acidity.  It is an impressive wine with a dark ruby color, and aromas of black cherry, blackberry with a touch of black pepper.  It is fresh and lively in the mouth, a lighter version of Syrah/Shiraz than you might expect with bright acidity, and fine, ripe tannins.