New Release | 95 Points - Jane Faulkner
As one of Margaret River's most highly acclaimed wineries, the wines of Voyager Estate rarely fail to impress. The Vivid Red is a brand-new wine in the Voyager stable; a light red blend that gives a nod to winemaker Tim Shand’s time spent in the Yarra Valley as chief winemaker for Punt Road.
From another high quality Margaret River vintage, the 2023 Voyager Vivid Red is a blend of Shiraz (40%), Tempranillo (20%), Grenache (20%) and Merlot (20%). A wine made in a fresh, early-drinking style, this new release is already drawing plenty of high acclaim.
"95 Points. Tim Shand took over as chief winemaker in late 2022, so this wine represents one of the first under his guardianship – and a brand-new one to boot. Very much in the Yarra Valley dry-red vein, no surprise given he spent more than a decade in that region, though this is a Margaret River version. A blend of 40/20/20% shiraz/ grenache/ tempranillo, all whole bunches, and 20% merlot, which is destemmed but left as whole berries, each parcel fermented separately and popped into old oak for three months before blending. It’s a cracking wine. Lovely supple tannins, tangy and juicy acidity with the core of bright, red-accented fruit flavours all in line and an attractive leesy flavour, too. Super-fresh and vibrant all the way through. Gluggable comes to mind, so does delicious. It’s not about ageability or complexity, Vivid Red is about drinkability and for a lighter-framed style, this is excellent. Don’t be afraid to chill this down in warmer weather. Don’t be afraid to drink it with gusto, and best to do so as it’s preservative free. $30. 13% alc. Drink: 2023 - 2025. Screwcap"- Jane Faulkner, winecompanion.com.au.
"It’s the best Shiraz/Grenache/Tempranillo/Merlot blend I can recall tasting, or so I quipped back in August 2023, while tasting this with incoming winemaker Tim Shand. I’m trying it again now, as it wasn’t released back then. This vintage is the first with Tim at the controls. No SO2 added here. Juicy, sweet red berries, cherry cola, a little earthy and peppery, baking spice. Fleshy, bright, but lovely texture and fine silty tannin, some meatiness, but succulent and juicy to close, with a gentle hit of bitterness. Good stuff. The shape of things to come at Voyager, perhaps. 92 Points Tasted: Jan24 13% alc. $30 Screwcap Drink: 2024 - 2026"- Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.