Hewitson Monopole Shiraz 2021
- 98
- $90
- Drink by: 2024-2039
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A single vineyard wine, the Shiraz here has all been cultivated from a single Shiraz vine, located in the Old Garden Vineyard, which was originally from 1853. In other words, for those to whom these things matter, this is the resurrection of a pre-phylloxera clone of the grape. 45% of the wine was whole bunch and the wine spent three weeks on skins. My pick of the latest Hewitson releases, this is an absolute superstar Barossa Shiraz. Purple/maroon, the nose just takes hold. Utterly gorgeous. Wines like this are a problem when one is tasting. You need to keep moving at a reasonable clip, but then along comes this in a glass and you find yourself spending minutes just smelling the wine, which has taken you to dreamland. One almost forgets to taste the thing, such is the majesty of the aromas. Coffee bean notes, mocha, blueberries, ripe plums, vanilla and cassis. This is dense but dancing. Finely balanced with an intriguing mix of finesse and power. If Barossa Shiraz can be ethereal, then this is it. The silkiest of tannins and such a lingering finish. Shows how good the 2021s can be. Just wow. This will do me. Ten to fifteen years.
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.
