This is a delicious wine from the Pyrenees in Victoria, best served with a slight chill. Gamay is quite trendy in Australia and is very versatile with food, even with some spice.
The wine has a wild positivity, drive and a plushness of fruit expected from Gamay, cleverly tethered by stemsy fermentation and aging in older barrels giving the wine Pyrenees warmth but with wine maker Leighton Joy's restraint. Another wine with, by and from Joy.
"This is Pyren’s first gamay release, grafted over shiraz, and the excellent fruit weight indicates an exciting future for the variety. You’ll find high-toned cherry and pomegranate, plus attractive leafy tones of tarragon and sorrel. There is a faint lick of volatility, which adds positive vigour if properly chilled (around 14°C), though it dominates aromatically if served too warm. The supple palate opens beautifully with air, and the crushed stone, red berry and sour plum interplay is rather thrilling." 93pts Toni Patterson Halliday Wine Companion March 2026