A single vineyard, 90yo vines with the wine aged in new French barriques for 2 years is the foundation for Hewitson's premier shiraz. There's an unmistakable Barossa stamp, richly flavoured with menthol, dark fruits, a velvety sensation to the ripe tannins and it's long - there's detail here yet still in the big, voluptuous category and done well.
95 points, Jane Faulkner (January 2017)
The fruit itself isn’t overly “big” but the oak is. This is lashed with cedary, smoky, slightly resinous oak. It’s obvious and yet it does feel integrated. We’re looking at mint, plum, redcurrant and clove flavours otherwise; and we’re especially looking at the firm, fine-grained tannin. It’s easy to see this wine maturing well over the long term. Treat it like a newborn baby; under no circumstances should you wake it. Given a good sleep though it should grow up into a mighty wine.
93+ points, Campbell Mattinson (November 2017)
Very good red/purple colour, youthful. The bouquet seems more developed, soft and mellow, savoury, with full-bodied, mouthfilling flavour and ample soft tannins. Licorice, aniseed flavours. The finish is firm, dry and savoury.
92 points, Huon Hooke (January 2018)
Colonel William Light, the South Australian colony’s Surveyor-General, named the Barossa in 1837 after the site of an English victory over the French in the Spanish Peninsular War. In the mid-1800’s Silesian and English immigrants settled in the area. The Barossa itself comprises two distinct sub-regions: Eden Valley and the warmer Barossa Valley floor at 270m.The Barossa Valley enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate characterised by hot dry summers and relatively low rainfall. Cool sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent modify the temperature, however hot northerly winds can occasionally dominate creating considerable vine stress. Many older established vineyards are dry-grown, but supplementary irrigation is also extensively used. The valley is comprised of rich brown soils and alluvial sands. A long history of uninterrupted viticulture in the area means the Barossa valley is home to Australia’s largest concentration of old-vine Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre with many over 100 years old. Although most famous for Shiraz, the Barossa can also produce fragrant and deliciously fruity Grenache blends and beautifully rich, chocolatey Cabernet Sauvignons.
