Quarisa Caravan South East Australia Petite Sirah/Durif 750ml

It may not be a common variety, but the Aussies have been using Petit Sirah (or Durif) in their fortifieds and big reds for a while. It’s decidedly rich and decadent, showing a kaleidoscope of textures and flavours worthy of a wine twice the price. It’s strong on the primary fruit flavours of raspberry and plums, but with some sweet baking spice characters too. Bargain!

Petite Sirah, or Durif as it’s also known, is an interesting little grape. It is quite often used in Australian fortified wine, as it ripens quite nicely, and offers delicious, spicy dark fruit flavours. The Caravan is made by a fella known as Johhny Quarisa, well known for the Johnny Q Shiraz and Cabernet, as well as the Shot in the Dark (one of our favourite cheapy quaffers). He likes to make juicy, fruit forward wines without too much oak influence – wines that offer rewarding drinking in the short term.The Caravan is fresh and vibrant, with spicy dark fruit aromas dominating a more complex bouquet than you might expect for the price. The palate is full of rich, sweet red fruits and ripe cassisy like flavours. Like mentioned above offers great drinking in the short term, but you could hold in the cellar for another five years if you wished.