Description
(Source: Dean Hewitson Youtube)
TASTING NOTE
SENSORY
Colour: Deep crimson red with a purple hue.
Aroma: Red and black forest berries. French oak spice and richness
Palate: Explosive red berries. Velvety soft tannins. Fresh acidity on the finish
ANALYSIS
pH 3.70
Acidity 6.0 g/L
Sugar 0.2 g/L
AGEING
16 months in mid-seasoned French oak barriques
VINEYARD
Steingarten Road Vineyard
ALTITUDE
280m
SOIL
Singular soil-type is ancient oxidised ferrous (terra rossa) over limestone
VINE AGE
30 years
PLANTING SYSTEM
Trellised, canopy wires, northsouth rows, north-facing slopes ideal in Southern Hemisphere
VINE DENSITY
2,400 per Ha
FARMING
Minimum drip irrigation, rye grass between rows, hand pruned
YIELD
6.0 tonnes per Ha; 45 HL/Ha
VINIFICATION
Combination whole berry and crushed; cold soak; on skins for two- three weeks/remontage
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
2021 Ned & Henry’s Shiraz
92 points – Stuart Knox, TheRealReview.com – June 2023
Medium to intense ruby red colour. Mulberry and violet aromatics. Ample weight with plush purple fruits, dried herbs and a floral note that brings further appeal. tannins remain in the background, but they have enough intensity to ensure the finish is still dry. Very appealing wine.
93 points – Dave Brookes, WineCompanion.com.au – June 2023
A wonderfully fragrant and juicy shiraz from Dean Hewitson. Packed with super-ripe plum and dark cherry fruits with hints of exotic spice, violets, jasmine, licorice, dark chocolate and earth. There’s a nice sense of fruit purity and detail on the palate, tannins all powdery and sexy, the cadence crisp and clear and a sense of harmony on a finish that shows some nice sustain for the price.
2021 The Mad Hatter Shiraz
95 points – Stuart Knox, TheRealReview.com – June 2023
Opaque core into a deep ruby and purple rim. Blood plum, liquorice and violet aromas leap from the glass. Lovely full weight and density as it glides across the tongue. Dark fruits, anise spice and graphite undertones all meld well to ensure character and interest. Tannins are supple yet amply powerful for the job at hand, driving it long and lingering to the finish. A lovely balance of Barossa intensity with winemaking vitality.
94 points – Dave Brookes, WineCompanion.com.au – May 2023
Deep crimson in the glass with classic aromas of satsuma plum and summer berry fruits layered with baking spices, licorice and dark chocolate. Nary a hair out of place on the palate with impressive fruit purity and a harmonious, dark savoury flow to the wines form; powdery tannin in support with a minerally driveline.
2020 Monopole Mother Vine Shiraz
95 points – Stuart Knox, TheRealReview.com – June 2023
Deep and dense ruby from core to rim. Rich and intense nose of mulberry, violets, and black olive tapenade. Palate brings a huge intensity of fruit yet with a deft touch that brings life and vibrancy as well. Roses, plums, nori, and black olive all meld across the palate ensuring there’s multiple facets that capture your attention whilst fine sandy tannins bring drive, focus and a great deal of length. Many years ahead of it.
2019 Barrel 1853
96 points – Dave Brookes, WineCompanion.com.au – June 2023
An equal split of the best barrel of Hewitson’s Monopole shiraz and the Old Garden mourvèdre. Aged for 24 months in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels. What a beautiful smelling wine. The aromatic composition is on song, both rich and pure with deep plum a macerated black fruits with exotically spiced nuance. It’s earthy and multi-layered with a gorgeous fruit flow and presence and trademark savouriness. Tannins, fine and powdery, resolve nicely into the wine as the fruit slowly sails off into the distance.
