Haselgrove Catkin Shiraz 2019

In days gone by, Celts believed that the Hazel tree had special powers (drink enough of this impressive wine and you might too). The name alludes to that. Sourced from four parcels around McLaren Vale, the grapes were destemmed into open fermenters as whole berries. Plunged thrice daily for 12 days before pressed into a mix of new and older oak for maturation for 20 months. The result is one of the better wines in the Haselgrove line-up. Maroon in colour, there are notes of chocolate, coffee beans, black olives and black fruits. Good concentration here, with a seamless and supple texture, finely crafted tannins and bright acidity. Everything is in balance and with excellent length, this is a wine with a decade of pleasure ahead of it. Good stuff.