Hewitson Ned & Henry’s Shiraz 2020

Created from a challenge to winemaker Dean Hewitson to produce a wine that’s fit for a vintage luncheon now and in 10 years’ time. Calming, “Ahhhh Barossa” elements of Christmas cake spice (especially the peel), blue/bloody meat, blood plum and chocolate. Hints of black tea depth with licorice allsorts and soft vanilla kisses.  Full bodied without corpulence. Initial bloom of dark red fruits expand wide with soft, chewy tannins before things tighten and draw close. Lean in it says…. a stony whisper, a hush not often seen in wines of this rank with a juicy dark raspberry biting coda. Leave the bottle, please.

Regan Drew

Regan is a regular wine columnist for the News Regional Media "Weekend" Magazine and digital "Life" sections. A graduate of the Australian Wine Research Institute's Advanced Wine Assessment Course #47 he was awarded with Distinction WSET Level 3 in Wine & Spirits, has been an Associate Judge for the New South Wine Awards plus a couple of little stints helping out in the Hunter Valley and Tasmania during vintages with small but quality winemakers.