Hewitson CASK 66 Shiraz Barossa Valley 2023

The name comes from the address of the winery, 66 Seppeltsfield Road. Every year, the team will see a really exciting batch of Shiraz – it may be from estate vineyards or from a top grower – which demands attention. It will spend time maturing in French oak, before a final barrel selection. The final wine is always very special. Under cork. The colour is an opaque magenta. The lifted aromatics are a touch thrilling and there are notes of plums, spices, chocolate, tobacco leaves, aniseed, black fruits and coffee grinds. The oak integration has been deftly handled. This is a class effort. The palate sees the emergence of notes of soy, cloves and blackberries. There is fine balance, impressive length and the finest of tannins. Wonderful stuff, which will surely drink beautifully for the next ten to twenty years. Barossa at its best.