-
98
/ 100
James Halliday's Wine Companion -
97
/ 100
Huon Hooke
Red
Classification
Shiraz
Variety
2021
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
Victoria, Yarra Valley
Region
13.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
98 / 100"Sourced from a single block planted in 1973. Fermented with a combination of whole bunches and whole berries. Half the wine was fermented and matured in a 3500L French foudre (purchased in 2019), the other half in French puncheons (10% new). A medium–deep and very bright crimson. Lifted and immediately appealing with its aromas of black raspberries and violets alongside a cornucopia of spices including cracked black pepper, anise and fennel seeds. A gorgeous medium-weighted, intensely flavoured and long Yarra Valley shiraz with enough tannin to suggest patience will be rewarded. Great stuff."
- James Halliday's Wine Companion
97 / 100
"Deep, strong and bright purple-red colour; high-toned white pepper aromas, a whiff of reduction; char, spice and meaty smallgoods aromas. A full-bodied, powerful, soft and fleshy textured wine with ample powdery tannins and a lasting array of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and pepper characters. Amazing length. A ripping shiraz. (Released in 2023, the Underhill vineyard's 50th year) 18 MAY 2023"
- Huon Hooke
Tasting Notes
A single block of Shiraz planted in 1973; 8 acres at the western end of the Yarra Yering vineyard. Wine Making: Hand harvested, the bunches pass across a sorting table before processing either as whole bunches or whole berries. 50% of the block is fermented and matured in a 3500L upright oak cask containing 20% whole bunches and topped up for maturation with 100% whole bunch component. The remainder of fermentation in the Yarra Yering half-tonne open-fermenters, gently hand plunged twice daily. Air bag pressed to release the last fermenting juice from the many whole berries that remain. The wine then aged for 12 months; 50% in the 3500L two-year- old cask and 50% to French oak puncheons (500L); 10% new oak. Perfumed cool climate Shiraz; deliciously medium bodied with a lick of aniseed spice. Vibrant blue and black plum fruits bring a fresh energy to the palate along with some liquorice spice layering in structure and complexity. As always from this block we see some cured meat and a smoke-char interest driving the back palate. Medium weighted and driven by fruit purity, oak just a faint background seasoning and a bite of stalk grip interest. Trophy, Best Shiraz – Yarra Valley Wine Show 2022 Gold Medal – Rutherglen Wine Show 2022 Gold Medal – 2022 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards Gold Medal – Yarra Valley Wine Show 2022 Gold, 98 Points - Halliday Wine Companion Gold Medal, 95 Points – Decanter World Wine Awards
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity