James Halliday 2010 Wine Companion Review

Five Star Winery: Graziers Sarah and Tom Guthrie began their diversification into wine in 1989, but their core business continues to be fat lamb and wool production.  Both activities were ravaged by the 2006 bushfires, but each has recovered, that of their grapegrowing and winemaking rising like a phoenix from the ashes.  They have acquired the Garden Gully winery at Great Western, giving them a Cellar Door presence and a viney of 2.4 ha of 60-year-old-shiraz, and 3 ha of 45 year-old riesling vines.  During 2008 Grampians Estate wines continued to excel, winning seven trophies.  A feature of the cellar of the cellar door will be wine education sessions during school holidays, and the cellar door will not only offer the full range of Grampians Estate wines but specially chosen wines from smaller local boutique wineries.
Black Sunday Reserve Shiraz 2006
In the genre of the '98 Bannockburn Shiraz; grapes from six Vic cool-climate regions, most from the Grampians and Pyrenees; a wonderful tapestry of vibrant spices and black fruits; marvellous thrust to the almost explosive finish.  Screwcap. 14.8% alc. Rating 96 to 2021
Black Sunday Friends Sparkling Shiraz 2006
An echo of the great Seppelt sparkling shirazs of the 40's and 50's (with a leap of immagination, perhaps); this wine has absolutely wonderful sweet shiraz fruit - not sugar sweetness - on the finish, and will develop and change of for up to 20 years if well cellared.  Crown seal.  14.6% alc.  Rating 95.  To 2025 $35
Streeton Reserve Shiraz 2007 (To be released December 2009)
Good colour; the first tiny estate production (358kg) since '06 bushfires, augmented with grapes from local growers; has all the elegance and length for which Grampians Estate is rightly famous.  Screwcap 14.5% alc. Rating 94 To 2022 $65