2018 Old Paddock & Old Hill Shiraz
First planted by Maurice O'Shea in 1921, the Old Paddock vineyard enjoys an elevated easterly aspect overlooking Mount Pleasant estate and some of the oldest shiraz vines in the world. Fruit from these low-yielding vines is blended with shiraz from the nearby Old Hill vineyard, first planted in 1880, to deliver a complex, brooding wine, rich in character and steeped in heritage. This distinguished partnership between these two highly celebrated vineyard sites, the Old Paddock and Old Hill vineyards deliver a small parcel of just 10 hectares of old gnarly shiraz vines. Planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these vines have buried their roots deep into the ancient volcanic soil of the site.
Shiraz
2018
750ml
About this Wine
Region
Hunter Valley, NSW
Winemaker
Adrian Sparks
Growing Conditions
Colour
Dark purple with violet hues.
Aroma
Red and blue fruits with a hint of spice.
Palate
Intense pepper from Old Paddock fruit pairs perfectly with the lifted red fruits of the cooler Old Hill vineyard. French oak vanillin balances rich tannin for a supple finish.
Alcohol/Vol
14%
Peak Drinking
2024 - 2043
Professional Reviews
95+ points - Huon Hooke
The Real Review
"Deep, bright colour; the bouquet fragrant, floral and red fruited, with hints of violet. The palate is rich and deep but also soft and accessible, charming and relatively open-knit for a young Shiraz from this maker. There's abundant spice in the aroma and flavour and lively acidity energises the medium to full-bodied palate. Tannins are fine and supple but insistent. Lovely wine."
95+ points - Gary Walsh
The Wine Front
"Earthy, plum and liquorice, toasty and spicy cedar oak in support. It’s deep and spicy, grainy tannin, savoury and earthy, throbbing with dark old vine hillside power, boysenberry and almost cranberry acidity pulsing on a long and tannic finish. It’s a wine of gravel and gravitas. The best is yet to come."
96 points - Campbell Mattinson
2021 Halliday Wine Companion
"All things considered this is a bit of a steal. The history, the class in the bottle, the potential longevity, the importance. It's a beautiful medium weight red wine. It tastes of musk, earth, peppercorn and ripe red/black cherries. It has vigour and momentum, yet it feels settled and controlled. It sings through the finish. It doesn't put a foot wrong."
