Innocent Bystander Shiraz Viognier 2005

This seemed liked it was a bit over the hill. The color was a deep garnet with slightly browned edges. The palate had a nice balance and texture/mouth feel. It had a long finish. There was some white pepper and blueberries. The alcohol was a tad high. Seemed a bit oxidized but still nice. Just surprising it was a 2005. 88/100

December 2008

Full fruit. But not super "high C" fake. Dark cherries, plus, usual suspects. A hint of bacon fat on the nose and in the mouth. cote-rotie but with more fruit and a little less earth.

September 2007

Smooth yet spicy. Extremely short finish. Complex enough to be enjoyable.

December 2008

Vibrant, smoky and delicately raspberish on the edges while the palate is charged with black forest fruit.

October 2009

Nose: Asian spices accented by nutmeg, staranise, sweet plums with a hint of earth. Palate: Medium body with a velvety mouth feel.The palate displays plums, white pepper, dark fruits and blueberries. A chewy but not tannic finish. Food Pairings: Stuffed mushrooms with goat cheese, butternut squash risotto, wood-fired pizza with prosciutto, stir-fried Chinese noodles with roast pork. This may only be a medium-bodied red, but it crackles with the exciting flavors of the northern Rhone, marrying freshly cracked peppercorns with a hint of meatiness and bright blueberry fruit. -Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast rating: 90