Hewitson Monopole Shiraz 2023, Barossa Valley
Deep crimson with an intense purple-black core. Blackberry, black plum and blueberry, with dark florals, star anise, liquorice and old leather. Espresso, dark chocolate and cedar emerge as it opens.
Estate-grown single-vineyard Shiraz from a clonal selection of a single 1853 vine discovered in Hewitson’s Old Garden Vineyard. Budwood from that pre-Phylloxera mother vine was propagated at the winery, producing smaller bunches and berries with a distinctive flavour and tannin profile. Planted on iron-rich terra rossa over clay and limestone at Dorrien. Harvested 14 April, fermented with 50% whole bunches in open vats and matured 18 months in new and seasoned Fontainebleau Forest French oak barriques.
Full-bodied and deeply concentrated. An expansive core of ripe blackberry and plum is supported by firm tannins. The whole-bunch component adds savoury complexity, while French oak contributes mocha, cedar and spice without crowding the fruit. Blue fruits bring a refreshing lift through the mid-palate. The finish is long and persistent, with dark berries, cacao and savoury spice.
Vino Masters Score: 97/100 ★★★★★ A distinguished Barossa Shiraz of extraordinary vineyard heritage, combining power, concentration and structure with genuine freshness and finesse. Drink now to 2038
