Buckingham Estate Reserve Shiraz

The new year marks a significant new direction for Buckingham Vintners International (BVI) as they launch Buckingham Estate Reserve Shiraz, the first wine brand to be created and wholly owned by BVI. Interestingly, it is also the first wine this maverick London merchant has sourced from Australia and will debut at the Australia Day Tasting on 1 and 2 February 2005, London.

BVI has enjoyed considerable success through the development and distribution of the popular 35 South and Santerra brands from South America and Spain, and the Buckingham Estate Reserve brand is a response to strong retail demand for a branded Australian offering.

With Buckingham Estate the savvy wine merchant is providing a potent new world red in sophisticated old world packaging. It also embodies Cliff Roberson's typically offbeat take on tradition, depicted by a crown tilted on its side - an evocative emblem devised by cutting-edge designers, Stranger & Stranger.

Even in Australian terms the wine originates from off the beaten track, from the newly defined wine region of Geographe in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Adjacent to the world-renowned Margaret River region, Geographe benefits from the Mediterranean cool-climate and extended ripening period afforded by the altitude of the Darling Ranges and benign sea breezes from the neighbouring Indian Ocean. Buckingham Vintners' Reserve Shiraz takes full advantage of these ideal growing conditions, boasting smooth and full-bodied flavours of spicy berry fruit with layers of black pepper and cedar. It is rich, deep purple in colour with complex aromas and minty high notes, and will handsomely repay bottle ageing.

The wine is made at the Harvey River Bridge Estate winery by Greg Jones, the company's wine manager, who has also worked for Tintara in the McLaren Vale; Leasingham in the Clare Valley; and Orlando, St Hallets, and Rockman in the Barossa. He also spent 10 years making wine for BRL Hardy at the company's Houghtons Swan Valley site.

BVI has established its sound business credentials through the consistent supply of what Roberson calls "good affordable wines" from the likes of San Pedro in Chile, Bodegas Murviedro in Spain and Schenk in Italy - as well as 35 South and Santerra - to the UK multiples.