SILENT NOISE FO SHIRAZ

Silent Noise wines always seem to have a bit of personality about them, and FO Shiraz certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s made with a pretty unconventional approach, 85% whole bunches, Champagne yeast, no oak, unfined and unfiltered, and the result is a Shiraz that feels wild, generous and seriously drinkable. There’s an immediate hit of dark berries, blackberry and plum, with a lovely cracked white pepper note running through it. Then comes this almost brownie-like richness that gives the wine a slightly decadent edge without making it heavy. The palate is soft, round and juicy, with plenty of sweet dark fruit and layers of spice carrying through the finish. What I like most is that it doesn’t taste manufactured or overworked. There’s freshness and energy underneath all that ripe fruit, and the whole-bunch fermentation gives it another layer of character. Big on flavour, a little bit unconventional and a lot of fun, exactly what I’ve come to expect from Silent Noise.