The world’s best Durif?
There is one thing I have learnt: follow the recommendations of the wine makers. If a wine maker from one vineyard likes the wines of another it is a sure bet that the wine’s worth investigating. This is how I heard about the Warrabilla 2004 Parola’s Limited Release Durif. Dr. Durif, who ran a grape nursery in the Rhone Valley, bred this grape variety with its intense colour and high (although soft) tannins in the late 19th Century but it never became popular in France. Also known as ‘Petit Syrah’ it took hold in California and it is also used in the production of Port in Portugal. In Australia it is mainly found in the Rutherglen area where it has become a local specialty over the last 100 years. Warrabilla is in Rutherglen in North East Victoria, and makes wines that make Parker specialties look like wimps. The Parola’s Limited Release represents the pinnacle of Warrabilla’s wines, only being made in the very best years. This is an amazingly big wine. The colour is so intense it stains the glass immediately and its viscous, thick structure is amazing. They pick their berries ripe, which means the tannins are soft and the varietal characters of chocolate, liquorice and black cherries are foremost on the palate. This is not a fruit bomb, however, it has lots of complexity and wonderfully savoury, meaty undertones and incredible length. The 17.5% alcohol will remind you that this is probably the biggest Durif you’ll ever taste. It’s glorious and I love it!
Available from:
Warrabilla Wines
Murray Valley Highway
Rutherglen VIC 3685