This is the second release of Voyager Estate’s vibrant, fresh and boldly flavoured Vivid Red. Winemaker Tim Shand has taken to Margaret River winemaking like a duck to water and, in no time at all, has put his talented stamp on the Voyager Estate wines. Vivid Red is a light red blend that gives a nod to Shand’s time spent in the Yarra Valley as chief winemaker for Punt Road. It’s a bright, pure-fruited, juicy wine made with spring and summertime enjoyment in mind.
From a sun-soaked season in the west, this year’s blend mirrors its immediate predecessor, with Shiraz, Tempranillo, Grenache and Merlot. Fermentations took place in small, open-top vessels and included 30% whole berries, while the rest remained as bunches. After 14 days, the wine was pressed to mature barriques for three months’ maturation. There was no fining, filtration or addition of sulphur. This is jam-packed with bright berry flavour, pepper spice and delicious savoury depth. It slinks through the palate with tannic grip and sappy acidity to counter the textural weight. It may be just the second release, but Vivid Red is already a Voyager mainstay.