Wines Unspecified Buckingham Estate - Reserve Shiraz - 2005

Viniou Reviews

Buckingham Estate's Cuvée Reserve Shiraz 2005 hails from Western Australia, a region particularly renowned for producing wines of great elegance and structure. This red wine is crafted from Shiraz, one of Australia’s flagship grape varieties, which in this Reserve cuvée promises depth and complexity reflecting both the varietal character and the vintage’s unique conditions. The 2005 vintage in Western Australia benefited from a generally mild and moderate climate, encouraging slow ripening and thus concentrating flavours. The wine likely underwent traditional vinification with extended maceration and careful ageing, potentially in a blend of French and American oak, to amplify its natural richness and integrate subtle spice and toasty notes. As a result, you can expect a bouquet of ripe dark berries, plum, black pepper and perhaps hints of eucalyptus or liquorice, followed by a palate displaying generous fruit, balanced acidity and smooth, velvety tannins.

Western Australia is a fascinating wine region, notable for its diversity of terroirs ranging from the maritime-influenced Margaret River to the cooler Great Southern. The soils here, often gravelly or laterite-based, combined with a temperate climate, promote drainage and regulate vine vigour, leading to wines of great consistency and finesse. The region’s winemaking history is relatively youthful compared to Europe, but its focus on quality and innovation has rapidly established it as an area producing some of Australia’s best cool-climate reds and whites.

This Cuvée Reserve Shiraz will pair wonderfully with richly flavoured dishes. Consider serving it alongside grilled lamb chops with rosemary, Wagyu steak, or slow-cooked beef cheeks. For a regional touch, rack of lamb marinated with native herbs or a peppered kangaroo fillet would highlight the wine’s spice and fruit profile. Hard cheeses such as mature cheddar or aged gouda also complement the wine’s structure.

To enjoy its full aromatic depth and silky tannins, serve at a temperature of 16-18°C. Decant for at least an hour before tasting to allow the bouquet to develop fully and the palate to express all its nuances. This vintage, now with significant age, will reward thoughtful aeration and attentive tasting.