Hewitson Barrel 1853 Shiraz Mourvèdre 2021

The top of the Hewitson wine tree is a blend of the best barrel of Monopole Shiraz and the best barrel of the Old Garden Mourvèdre. As if to make the point even more, it is delivered in a heavy, deep-punted bottle. It’s not necessary, the wine speaks beautifully, resolutely, for itself. Barrel 1853 is a wine story built around two solid pillars: power and poise. It’s early days for the wine, it is destined for a long life, but the building blocks are well in place now. Expect a world rich in black fruits, blackstrap liquorice, clove, cinnamon, rosemary, roast meats and charry woodsy notes against a background of firm, well placed tannins to open up in the glass. It will continue to evolve the longer the wine remains open, which is when nuance begins to creep in and be explored. Fruit off old vines bring an incredible concentration of flavour. Here it is magnified. Give it the time it needs and deserves.