{"product_id":"medhurst-wines-estate-yrb-pinot-noir-shiraz-2022","title":"2022 Medhurst YRB Pinot Noir Shiraz | 95 Point Yarra Valley Red","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏆 95 POINTS | PINOT NOIR + SHIRAZ | ONE OF MEDHURST'S MOST FASCINATING REDS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir + Shiraz – One of Australia's Great Forgotten Blends\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is one of the most fascinating wines in the Medhurst range.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eYarra Valley, Victoria\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $46.50 a bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the most fascinating wines in the Medhurst range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2022 Medhurst Estate YRB\u003c\/strong\u003e combines two varieties we don't often see together anymore:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir + Shiraz.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut this isn't some modern winemaking experiment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinot Noir and Shiraz have a fascinating history together in Australia, and Medhurst has taken that idea and given it a thoroughly modern Yarra Valley interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crucial detail is that Medhurst describes YRB as a \u003cstrong\u003eco-fermented blend of Pinot Noir and Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than simply two finished wines blended together. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is vibrant, fragrant and beautifully energetic—combining Pinot Noir's perfume and red-fruited elegance with Shiraz's spice, darker fruit and structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd with \u003cstrong\u003e95 points from Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e, this isn't just interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt's seriously good wine.\u003c\/strong\u003e Halliday confirms the 2022 YRB as a Yarra Valley Pinot Noir–Shiraz blend at a restrained \u003cstrong\u003e13% alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's a terrific result for such an unusual wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut perhaps more importantly, the score tells you that YRB shouldn't be regarded simply as the quirky wine in the Medhurst portfolio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a legitimate premium Yarra Valley red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday records the wine as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2022 Medhurst YRB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYarra Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13% Alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eRRP $46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, it offers something genuinely different from almost anything else at the price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a wonderfully fragrant, energetic red showing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRed cherry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRaspberry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCranberry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePomegranate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark cherry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRed and purple florals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack pepper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExotic spice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubtle herbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine, silky tannins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinot Noir provides the \u003cstrong\u003eperfume, red berries and silky texture\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiraz adds \u003cstrong\u003edarker fruit, pepper, spice and backbone\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePut the two together and you get a wine that sits somewhere between the elegance of Pinot Noir and the savoury depth of cool-climate Shiraz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's juicy and immediately delicious, but there's enough tannin, acidity and savoury complexity underneath to keep serious wine drinkers interested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Secret Is Co-Fermentation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where YRB gets particularly interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst describes the wine as a:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“delicious and juicy co-fermented blend of Pinot noir and Shiraz.”\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCo-fermentation matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than making Pinot Noir and Shiraz independently and simply blending them afterwards, the varieties ferment together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat allows their characters to integrate from the very beginning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pinot doesn't simply sit next to the Shiraz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThey become one wine.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's the same broad principle behind the traditional Northern Rhône practice of co-fermenting Syrah with small amounts of Viognier—different varieties working together during fermentation to create something greater than the individual components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePinot Shiraz – A Great Australian Tradition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's a brilliant story to tell customers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinot Noir and Shiraz might sound like an unusual combination today, but \u003cstrong\u003ePinot Shiraz has deep roots in Australian wine history\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the middle of the twentieth century, wines combining Pinot Noir and Shiraz were produced by some of Australia's legendary winemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe style largely disappeared as Australian wine became increasingly focused on varietal labelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow producers such as Medhurst are revisiting the concept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it makes complete sense in the Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth varieties thrive here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinot provides:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfume • Red fruit • Acidity • Finesse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiraz provides:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpice • Dark fruit • Structure • Savouriness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result can be incredibly compelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMade at Medhurst's Gruyere Estate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst is a genuinely small estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are just \u003cstrong\u003e12.5 hectares under vine\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the winery focused on small-batch production and wines built around purity, freshness and structure. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard includes Pinot Noir and Shiraz alongside Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat gives Medhurst an unusual advantage with YRB.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey're not buying two unrelated varieties and forcing them together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth Pinot Noir and Shiraz are already important parts of the estate's identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Cool 2022 Vintage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2022 growing season was the \u003cstrong\u003ethird cool season in succession\u003c\/strong\u003e at Medhurst.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRain during flowering dramatically reduced yields in the earlier-ripening varieties, with Pinot Noir yields approximately \u003cstrong\u003e50% below normal\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Medhurst reports that despite the tiny crops, quality was extremely high, producing wines with \u003cstrong\u003epower, balance and excellent flavour intensity\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat lower-yielding Pinot component is particularly interesting in a wine like YRB.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vintage naturally gave Medhurst concentrated Pinot fruit while maintaining the freshness required for this style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNot Pinot Noir. Not Shiraz. Something Completely Different.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's the easiest way to understand YRB.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're expecting classic Pinot Noir, you'll find more spice, darkness and structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're expecting classic Shiraz, you'll find more perfume, red fruit and delicacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYRB sits beautifully between the two.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd at only \u003cstrong\u003e13% alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e, this isn't a heavy red. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's the sort of wine you can serve slightly cool and drink across an entire meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's increasingly attractive for people looking for \u003cstrong\u003elighter, fresher Australian reds\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Medhurst Red Range\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're looking across the Medhurst Estate wines, each offers something very different:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerfumed • Red-fruited • Silky • Elegant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate YRB Pinot Noir Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJuicy • Fragrant • Spicy • Savoury • Energetic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDark-fruited • Peppery • Structured • Powerful\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstate Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCassis • Violet • Cedar • Fine tannin • Cellar-worthy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYRB might actually be the most immediately enjoyable of the lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's serious wine without taking itself too seriously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is incredibly versatile at the table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTry it with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDuck breast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeking duck\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast chicken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePork belly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChargrilled lamb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMushroom risotto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWood-fired pizza\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharcuterie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalmon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'd particularly like this with \u003cstrong\u003educk or wood-fired pizza\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pinot fruit works with the lighter flavours while Shiraz provides enough spice and structure to handle richer dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd don't serve it too warm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAround 14–16°C would be ideal.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDrinking \u0026amp; Cellaring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attraction of YRB is its immediacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is already four years from vintage and should be drinking beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrink now–2030+.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of Pinot Noir and Shiraz should allow the wine to develop some lovely savoury complexity, but I wouldn't buy this primarily for long-term cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'd buy it to drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive it a large glass, serve it slightly cool and enjoy the combination of \u003cstrong\u003ered fruit, florals, pepper and spice\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those wines that gives you something genuinely different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou have:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir + Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCo-fermented rather than simply blended\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCool-climate Yarra Valley fruit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnly 13% alcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $46.50\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it taps into one of the great forgotten traditions of Australian wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut forget the history lesson for a moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe reason to buy it is because Pinot Noir and Shiraz work brilliantly together.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinot gives you perfume, cherry, cranberry and silkiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShiraz brings pepper, spice, darker fruit and structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe finished wine lands somewhere wonderfully in between.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003e$46.50 RRP\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003e2022 Medhurst Estate YRB Pinot Noir Shiraz\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most interesting wines in the Medhurst range—and with \u003cstrong\u003e95 Halliday points\u003c\/strong\u003e, it has the quality to back up the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you've never tried a serious Pinot Noir Shiraz blend before, start here.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medhurst Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52418238349614,"sku":null,"price":46.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/5010\/5134\/files\/2022MedhurstYRBPinotNoirShiraz.png?v=1786676657","url":"https:\/\/liquidvibe.com.au\/products\/medhurst-wines-estate-yrb-pinot-noir-shiraz-2022","provider":"liquidvibe.com.au","version":"1.0","type":"link"}