Now that CSIRO has been granted Plant Breeder’s Rights for its new wine varieties, it is keen to publicise the arrival of Cienna, Vermilion, Rubienne and Tyrian. Each is a cross between sumoll, a lesser-known grape from around Barcelona, and cabernet sauvignon. Each also illustrates what a tough job it is naming a new grape variety. The first wine released from these varieties is McWilliam’s Tyrian 1999 ($15 retail, approx.), a deep, dark and spicy astringent dry red whose earthy plum, cherry and cassis fruit has a tangy sour edge plus a distinctive diesoleum note. I rate it at 16.2 and suggest it be opened between 2001-2004+.
