Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz 2018
- $69
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Deep purple and luscious in colour, this wine entices me from the get-go… Barossa Valley Shiraz (97%) co-fermented with 3% viognier adding to the depth of colour (I know, weird right?!) and aromatics of violet and lilac, this shiraz is quite the beauty. Blueberries, blackberries and blackcurrant compote, vanilla richness and subtle pepper seduce the nose, whilst the palate is all about the structure: super-textural and mouth-filling but with a fine acid backbone and a coating of tannin that are so refreshing, they urge you to take another sip, wehich I’ll gladly do! Classic and classy. Rack of lamb in a heartbeat, potatoes dauphinois.
Review by Melissa Moore
Matt Dunne
94 Points
Pretty on the nose, rose hip and violets meet dark black plum. Fermentation with wet viognier skins adds another layer of interest. Distinctive mouthfeel and restrained ripeness here, palate is energetic with forest floor and earth and some soft, grippy tannins that are long and refined, adding an extra savoury complexity to the finish. Nice drive and length, a wine of intrigue that will lure you in.
Angus Hughson
93 Points
Drink 2020 – 2027
I like the concept of this wine – a pretty side to the Barossa thanks to the more protected position of the vineyards on the Hentley Farm property plus the addition of a little Viognier. The 2018 vintage is pretty with its fleshy and voluptuous style. The wine is deeply coloured and shows ripe, velvety and mouth filling fruits with kirsch and blackberry jam the leading lights. Tannins are soft and supple but enough to give some backbone to this luscious style. It is ready to go right now with the balance to improve in bottle over the next five years.
Melissa began her hospitality career in London working for the Rolling Stones, returning to Australia at the dawn of the wine bar explosion in Melbourne to develop a deep love of wine, restaurants, beaches and much warmer weather. She has judged at several national and local wine shows including The Royal Sydney Show, the NSW Wine Awards and The Alternative Varieties Wine Show, and contributed to the Sydney Morning Herald with wine selection articles. Melissa was selected to be a scholar of the Len Evans’ Tutorial and was dux of the 2019 New Zealand Family of Twelve Tutorial. She was previously Head Sommelier at Merivale and is now Beverage and Operations Manager for the Love Tilly Group. She lives in Sydney with her family.
