Hewitson ‘Mother Vine’ Monopole Shiraz 2018
Grape Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Growing Region: Dorrien, Barossa Valley - Australia
Owner / Winemaker: Dean Hewitson
5 Stars ★★★★★
I have been enjoying Dean’s old bush vine wines for two decades - and when it comes to crafting detailed Shiraz wines from ancestral vines, there is no one more dexterous than Dean. The 2018 growing season in the Barossa provided ideal conditions for his iconic Shiraz vines grown in million-year-old 'terra rossa' soils to fully express themselves.
This 'Mother Vine’ Monopole Single Vineyard Shiraz is a ‘clonal selection’ from an ancient surviving Shiraz vine which was originally planted in 1853. Cuttings were grafted onto 30 year old rootstock and by doing so Dean has been able to resurrect an ancient clone of pre-Phylloxera Shiraz.
The fruit was hand harvested on the 17th of March and on arrival into the winery, a third was whole bunch fermented and the remaining two thirds destemmed, crushed and the juice left on skins for three weeks, which regular remontage (pump overs). Once Dean was happy with the vinification the wine was transferred to new and 1 year old French oak barriques where it developed for 24 months before tasting and bottling.
★ In your glass you will be greeted by a deep, dark red colour with a shining hue. On the nose you will be instantly hypnotised by intense dark berries, fresh spices and a forest background. The palate is full and generously engaging showcasing an opulence of ripe dark fruits, cacao and spice all deftly wrapped in dovetailed oak and seamless fruit tannins. The wine has a genuine confidence resulting from a merging of rich flavours and dexterous winemaking giving structure and balance to the memorable long finish.
This 2018 Hewitson ‘Mother Vine’ Monopole Shiraz has 14% Alc./vol. Classic dry style. Decant for around 45-60 minutes and serve in a generously shaped red wine glass at 16°- 18°C.
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 3/10/21)
Decant well if opened in the next 2 - 3 years, approachable now, plus will repay another 8 - 10 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with aged prime meat cuts, slow cooked lamb-shank, game pasta dishes with wine-jus, well-seasoned earthy vegetarian cuisine, plus aged hard cheeses - enjoy.
