Best's Great Western Sparkling Shiraz 2019

Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz was re- introduced at Best’s in 2006 after almost 40 years of absence. The sparkling Shiraz style is synonymous with Great Western and has been made in the region since the early 1900s.

Best’s Sparkling Shiraz epitomises the regional characteristics with plenty of spice and plummy fruit characters. The base wine is left on yeast lees in bottle for 22 months or more and disgorged in the traditional method. The dosage liqueur for this wine contains a small quantity of very old Best’s Liqueur Muscat that gives the wine an added layer of interest and complements the style.

An exuberant mousse that fills the glass. The rocky head of deep purple foam subsides to reveal a lace of small and persistent bubbles.

Layers of aroma: roses, plum pudding, nutmeg, parmesan rind, blackberry and dark spices. Add in an undertone of meatiness and brioche from the lees contact in bottle and it demands to be tasted.

A broody and rich mouthful of fresh berries soaked in a spiced liqueur with a sprinkling of cocoa. The finish is seamless with a refreshing acidity and creamy effervescence to counterbalance the fruit.

This wine is great when drunk young but will soften and continue to develop complex characters in the bottle for the next ten years or more.