There are few things I enjoy more while on holiday than trying wines (and food) from the local area from producers that I have not previously been aware of.  This wine from Guildford Vineyard is grown from vines situated between Daylesford and Castlemaine, roughly 100 or so kilometres north west of, and situated at a higher altitude than, Melbourne.  Being a shiraz cabernet blend (cabernet can suffer from “mintiness” in these parts) and from the stellar 2010 vintage for Victoria (as ridiculous as that might sound for such a large region), I thought it merited a shot.  

And the wine does drink well.  Between purple and ruby in colour, it is quite inky with near pronounced intensity of colour expression.  The aroma is clean, with more restrained intensity reminders of plums, blueberries, pepper and thyme – the blueberries particularly evident.  I thought it had a touch of “barnyard” on the first day, but it wasn’t there on the second.  The palate is dry, with medium-high acidity, light tannins which were initially slightly stalky, but not after time in the glass, between medium and full body and flavours of sweet blueberries, plums, blackberries and medium length.  This ready to drink wine will suit immediate consumption, and benefit from a short decant.  Good

Abv: 13.9%
Price: mid $20s
Vendors: Check http://www.wine-searcher.com
Website: http://www.guildfordvineyard.com.au
Tasted: September 2012