Jeremy Oliver's Australian Wine Annual 2009
"Flying Duck is a small emerging King Valley vineyard that is already setting itself a high standard of viticulture and winemaking. The red wines deliver plenty of aromatics and spice, with a typically fine-grained and dusty backbone. Sangiovese has been planted recently, and it could do really well.
Current releases also include a very polished and slightly minty 2005 Shiraz Viognier (90/100, drink 2010-2031+) and rather a funky, savoury 2005 Viognier (90/100, drink 2007-2010).
2005 Flying Duck Shiraz
"Supple, smooth and polished, with a spicy presence of ripe redcurrants and raspberries tightly knit with dusty cedar/vanilla oak. Its sweet and moderately intense black and red berry flavours are backed by sweet oak supported by firm, fine grained tannins, finishing with nuances of mint, cloves and licorice." (89/100, drink 2010-2015)
Reviews of 2003 Flying Duck Shiraz
Jeremy Oliver says:
“From an emerging vineyard comes this finely crafted, tightly focused, savoury shiraz of medium to full weight. A sweet, spicy and slightly meaty fragrance of blackberries, cassis and blueberries is backed by a measured complement of cedar/vanilla oak and dusty, peppery and earthy undertones. Smooth and restrained, it’s richly fruited but still reserved, with vibrant dark plum and cassis-like fruit..... finishing long and mineral. Framed by supple but drying tannins, it’s a serious little wine of genuine character, balance and structure.”
(King Valley, 92/100, drink 2011-2015)
James Halliday says:
"A clean, fresh light to medium bodied wine with clean, fresh plum, cherry and raspberry fruit; while the tannins are very light, the wine has good length. Rating 87 Drink 2009
Awards
King Valley Wine Show 2007
Best Traditional Red Blend Flying Duck 2005 Shiraz Viognier
Best Merlot Flying Duck 2005 Merlot
Best Wine by a Small Winemaker Flying Duck 2005 Shiraz Viognier
Cowra Wine Show 2007
Bronze Medal Flying Duck 2005 Shiraz Viognier
