Henschke Louis Semillon 2023
Hewitson Strawberry Hill Shiraz 2022
G 95
G 95
Named after an old strawberry patch which is next to the vineyard providing this Shiraz. Maturation is for a year and a half in French oak barriques of mixed ages and from a range of forests. Dark purple, the nose gives us oodles of delicious black cherry notes with deep black fruits, mulberries, finely integrated oak and coffee beans. The aromas include florals, plums and chocolate, but it really is that glorious cassis which rides high. Finely balanced, with good intensity and a flick of acidity, plus really impressive length. The intensity is maintained for the full journey of the wine, which finishes with lovely silky tannins. Enjoy this over the next eight to 10
Pale colour. Expressive lemongrass, pine-lime, herbal and grassy aromas. Fresh cutting acidity, impressive mid-palate volume in a beautifully balanced package. Lovely fruit definition and impact, finishes chalky and long. A wine with promising longevity; keep for a while to build complexity and weight. 11% alc Drink now–2040 Hentley Farm The Beast Shiraz 2022 G 95 A deeply flavoured Shiraz from the Seppeltsfield Vineyard (specifically, D Block), which sees 22 months maturation in French oak, 60% of which is new. Under cork. An opaque purple/maroon. There is serious power and intensity here, with notes of blackcurrants, chocolate, tar, cassis, mocha, soy, roadworks, coffee grinds, beef stock, black fruits and axle grease. What is most obvious is the real concentration here, but it is so well balanced that the wine just flows. There is early complexity evident, as well as fine and yet firm tannins and great length. Put this gem away for five years and then drink it for the next decade. Drink now–2034 Hentley Farm Clos Otto Shiraz 2021 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense bouquet of vanillin, nutmeg, toast, blackberry pie. Big, rich and full-bodied, offering huge concentration of blackberry alongside toasty vanillin accents. Well balanced with plentiful ripe slightly chalky tannins leading to a long finish. Has all the goods and will no doubt reveal more with time in the cellar. Drink now–2044 14.8% alc Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz 2022 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense blackberry, dark chocolate aromas with roasted walnut, liquorice notes. Richly concentrated and voluminous with ample blackberry pastille, praline flavours, fine chocolaty tannins and well-balanced new oak notes. Chocolaty firm finish with seductive dark berry fruits. Bottle age will see this develop into a classical Barossa Shiraz. Drink 2025–2036 14.8% alc Hewitson Ungrafted Shiraz 2022 G 95 From old dry-grown vines, fermentation was over a 3-week period before maturation takes place in older French oak barriques for 15 months. Deep dense maroon, the nose exhibits notes of spices, cocoa powder, soy, aniseed, tobacco leaves, mocha, chocolate and black fruits. Just a hint of a briary note – have they incorporated a tiny amount of whole bunch fermentation? Displaying a silky palate with focus and finesse, the wine has fine balance and a long, lingering finish, with satiny tannins. This is a 15-year proposition. Drink now–2039
years. Drink now–2034 Hewitson Barrel 1853 Shiraz Mourvèdre 2022
G 95
Deep crimson. Intense dark chocolate, pure blackberry, dark cherry liqueur touch pistachio, vanilla aromas and flavours. Concentrated and sinuous palate with dense chalky tannins and well integrated new oak complexity. Some malty, black cherry liqueur notes at the finish. Drink now–2035 Irvine Wines Icon Old Vine Shiraz 2020 G 95 Deepish crimson. Lovely blackberry, dark plum, marzipan, vanilla aromas with hints of herbs. Ample blackberry, dark plum fruits, chocolaty textures and well- balanced mocha/marzipan, vanilla oak notes. Finishes chocolaty/bittersweet. Rich and flavourful wine with attractive density, energy and mineral length. Drink now– 2032 14.7% alc Jacob’s Creek Survivor Vines Shiraz 2021 G 95 Deep crimson. Intense blackberry malty hint marzipan aromas. Generously concentrated with blackberry, inky flavours, fine chalky/graphite textures, attractive mid-palate volume and well-balanced marzipan, roasted chestnut notes. Bittersweet finish. Lovely weight and flow. Drink now–2032. John Duval Wines Integro Cabernet Shiraz 2016 G 95 Deep crimson. Blackcurrant, hint mocha graphite, sage aromas with hints of tobacco leaf. Inky deep wine with ample blackcurrant, black cherry fruits, fine-grained touch al dente/cedary tannins and underlying mocha, hint crème brûlée notes. Finishes claret firm and bittersweet. A classic cabernet wine with lovely density, volume and grip. 14% alc Drink now–2034
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The Vintage Journal – Regional Focus
South Australia 2024
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