Margaret River looks good on Tim Shand, or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, the first releases of this talented winemaker's tenure at the estate make it clear he’s taking to the job like a duck to water. The Vivid Red is a brand-new wine in the Voyager stable, a light red blend that gives more than a nod to Shand’s time spent in the Yarra Valley as chief winemaker for Punt Road.
From a glorious vintage in the west, the Vivid Red comprises Shiraz (40%), Tempranillo (20%), Grenache (20%) and Merlot (20%). All components except the Merlot were fermented as whole bunches on skins for two weeks before being pressed to old barriques for three months’ maturation. The Merlot was destemmed and vinified the same way. There was no fining, filtration or addition of sulphur. Jane’s note below nicely captures the wine's fresh, vibrant and highly drinkable nature.