Tyrrell’s Wines Old Hut Vineyard Shiraz 2018

Tyrrell’s Old Hut Vineyard is not widely known. Only planted in 2003, its location and vines explain much of what is found in the bottle. Simply, the vineyard sits next to their famed 4 Acres plot, planted in 1879, and involves cuttings from the same place. It is the little brother of one of the Hunter’s best, and it tastes like it, especially from the cracking 2018 vintage.

The 2018 vintage is quite a typical example of the classic Hunter Valley Burgundy style with its combination of power and finesse. Good depth of colour is followed by rich mulberry, dark cherry and leathery fruits, subtle savoury edges showing though from 15 months in large, older oak. The palate is hearty and dry, the fruit still quite young and pure with good impact of sweet fruits but also a savoury undercurrent emerges that adds detail and interest. Exceptional balance of mouthcoating tannins and juicy acidity also provide an ample foundation that will help it to drink well for a decade or more.