Shelton, Calem Blue Shiraz 2012

When West Australian wines grace my table it’s normally the Margaret River Cabernet that grabs the attention of my tastebuds but having recently tried the Shelton “Calem Blue” Shiraz 2012, I think I might have to broaden my horizons!

The Calem Blue sits at the budget end of the spectrum but shows the ripeness of quality fruit that you’d expect to find in a wine three times the price. On the nose, there are violets and carob characters, but on the palate, the dark fruit flavours take hold and turbocharge across the mouth before a fine pepper spiciness appears at the back end.

The structural integrity of the wine is surprising given the relatively conservative price point, but there’s no doubt that the exposure to French and American oak and some gentle tannins have provided balance and texture to support the generous fruit.

At only $10 to $15 a bottle, you can overlook a slight bitterness that arrives once the last drop has passed across the palate and remember the lusciousness of cool climate flavours that were so elegant at the front.