2022 Charteris Hunter Valley / McLaren Vale Shiraz
The decision to blend Hunter and McLaren Vale Shiraz is one we don’t take lightly but one which we have much experience with. A number of great old Hardys ‘Burgundy’ wines from the 1960a were a considered and deliberate effort at achieving elegance, finesse and longevity from harnessing the strengths of both regions. We have been fortunate to enjoy many of these great pieces of Australian vinous history and they never fail to astound with their depth, complexity and ability to age gracefully.
So, with miniscule yields of Hunter Valley Shiraz from the 2022 vintage we made to decision to blend Hunter and McLaren Vale with the hope of creating a classic and truly traditional style of Australian Shiraz, Old School, some might say.
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2022
Varietal
Shiraz
Appellation
Pokolbin
Harvest Date
February & March 2022
Acid
6.5 g/L
pH
pH 3.51
Bottling Date
12/12/22
Alcohol %
13
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Dark crimson purple with a radiant purple glow
There is a sense of classic style about this wine from the outset.
Brooding dark spiced plum with hints of dark rose petal and other exotic florals. Layers of mulberry, boysenberry and damson plum sit across Christmas cake and a waft of distance rosemary and thyme. Aromatic complexity builds with time in the glass revealing black olive, graphite and chocolate dust all the while maintaining a very primary fruit focus. Any new oak almost invisible under the fruit aromatics
The entry is primary, with the dark cherry and red berry Yin of the Hunter, cut through with the Yang of plush McLaren Vale plum and Christmas cake, bright acidity bringing a light feel to the feather light yet tactile tannin line. The finish is long and silky with a structure that dissolves into the fruit depth with time. Subtle and diffused spice with wild herbs add persistence to the exit. A collision of two counterposed regional identities, the line and focus of Hunter fruit and tannin providing a foil to the density and plushness of the Vale. The devil in silk pyjamas if you like.
Vineyard Notes
The year of the stubborn La Nina the length of the East Coast and across Victoria and into South Australia , 2022 tested our vineyards and our winemaking knowledge once again. Solid rains through the 2021 winter saw many tractors bogged in vineyards from the Hunter to the Clare Valley and everywhere between while pruners growing webbed feet in their gumboots. The upside being continued replenishment of soil moisture and exceptionally dry river catchments lagging from the preceding drought. The Hunter got off to an early Budburst in August but that was slowed by a cool and wet spring, things were not much different in McLaren Vale with shoots pushing in September.
Summer was mild across most regions with temperatures struggling to get into the 30’s resulting in picking dates later that the previously late 2021 harvest. Interestingly, the larger that usual canopies and cooler growing conditions once again gave us plush and generous flavours with low pH and low Total Acidity.
Harvest started, at a more traditional time than the norm of the last 10 years, in the third week of January and it was one for the vignerons with their eye on the vines. Well managed crop levels and open, carefully tended canopies were the order of the day. It will be a while before we have the full canvas of the vintage but overall, Shiraz will be one to watch with the best managed vineyards delivering some classic medium bodied Hunter River Burgundy style wines while McLaren Vale shows rarely seen finesse and elegance.
Production Notes
Matured in 20% new French oak Barriques
Winemaker Notes
The decision to blend Hunter and McLaren Vale Shiraz is one we don’t take lightly but one which we have much experience with. A number of great old Hardys ‘Burgundy’ wines from the 1960a were a considered and deliberate effort at achieving elegance, finesse and longevity from harnessing the strengths of both regions. We have been fortunate to enjoy many of these great pieces of Australian vinous history and they never fail to astound with their depth, complexity and ability to age gracefully.
So, with miniscule yields of Hunter Valley Shiraz from the 2022 vintage we made to decision to blend Hunter and McLaren Vale with the hope of creating a classic and truly traditional style of Australian Shiraz, Old School, some might say.
Food Pairing Notes
Slow roast Lamb Shoulder with Saffron Risotto