Hewitson Baby Bush Mourvèdre 2020
- 91
- $28
- Drink by: 2021-2027
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We recently looked at Hewitson’s ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre, a rather famous wine coming from a vineyard planted in 1853 – the
oldest Mourvèdre vines on the planet. This wine comes from a ‘Selection Massale’ planted in 1998, which was taken from the famous 1853 vineyard. Basically, this means that cuttings are taken from the old vines and planted afresh. It preserves the genetic diversity and the quality that the old vines offer. So vines will be selected which have features the winemaker seeks, perhaps more resistance to disease than their neighbours, or more concentrated berries. All sorts of reasons. And there will usually be a mix of attributes. We don’t want boring old uniformity. So, you might not be getting what an ancient vine can offer but you are surely getting the next best thing, and at a fraction of the cost. It also explains the name, ‘Baby Bush’. The colour here is nearly an opaque red. The nose is typical Mourvèdre (anyone exploring the world of wine, wanting to see the characteristics of a single varietal Mourvèdre, this wine is an ideal example); earthy, burly, with chocolate, dark fruits and a meaty note. Rich and ripe, it is a wine of medium length, though full bodied with a good flick of acidity. Has three to six years ahead of it but would be perfect for a good barbecue today.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
