Tasting note
Westend is a boutique winery in Riverina, New South Wales, owned and run by ex boxing-champion Bill Calabria. The estate was established in 1945 by his emigré Italian parents, and taken over by Bill in 1976. His passion was to prove that wines from Riverina could match, even surpass, those of more prestigious areas such as the Hunter and Barossa Valleys. With his new winery in place he certainly succeeded, becoming one of the best in his field in the area and, in competition, his wines have often beaten those from the more expensive areas. Revered Australian wine writer James Halliday commends Bill's talent in his Australian Wine Companion; "Bill Calabria has been involved in the Australian wine industry for more than 40 years, and is understandably proud of the achievements both of Westend and Riverina wine as a whole."

This achievement in part comes from his belief in carefully monitoring yields by very limited irrigation, leading to excellent concentration and depth in his wines. Bill launched his premium 'Three Bridges' range in 1997 in recognition of the three-way bridge built at the beginning of the twentieth century. This pioneering structure served to irrigate the once desolate Riverina region, helping to transform it into a major wine producing region in New South Wales.

As for all Three Bridges wines, the 2006 Shiraz is made from only the best grapes, hand selected from around the region. This award-winning, power-packed Shiraz, is abundant in blackcurrant, plum, bramble and spice. This richly flavoured and textured red needs hearty accompaniment. Roast beef would be spot-on, venison sausages, meaty pasta dishes or hard farmhouse cheeses. Drink by end 2014.

	Type:Still Red Wine		Country:Australia		Appellation:Riverina
	Grape Type:Shiraz		Drink Before:End of 2014		Body:Powerful, very full bodied
	Alcohol:15%		Bottle Size:75cl		Bottle Code:60694

Description
Another of Bill's giant-beating bruisers, with a medal heritage as rich and formidably endowed as the wine itself! Lavishly barrel-aged and loaded with blackcurrant, plum, bramble and spice.

Riverland Wine Show 2008, Australia

Australian Inland Wine Show 2008, Australia

Riverland Wine Show 2008, Australia

Riverina Wine Show 2008, Australia

Cowra Wine Show 2008, Australia

Australian Inland Wine Show 2008, Australia

International Wine Challenge 2008, United Kingdom

Austrian International Wine Challenge - Vienna 2008, Austria

Decanter World Wine Awards 2008, United Kingdom

Rutherglen Wine Show 2008, Australia