2017 Mount Pleasant 1921 Vines Old Paddock Shiraz 750ml

Founded in 1921 by the legendary Maurice O’Shea, whose contribution to Australian wine cannot be understated. Widely recognised for setting the standard for modern Australian winemaking, his ‘fanatical perfectionismâ€?saw him create Mount Pleasant’s signature style of elegance, balance and exceptional longevity. For 100 years, Mount Pleasant has produced iconic, elegant and expressive wines championing the fruit and individual character of our four vineyard sites. The rare ancestral vines include some of the oldest clone plantings in the country. This makes the Old Hill vineyard, while best known for Shiraz, the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Australia.

Taken from the first vineyard planted by Maurice O’Shea, the Old Paddock is a perfect site for Shiraz.  Sheltered from the afternoon sun and winds, the rows run North to South and produce exceptional fruit from over 100-year-old vines.   The fruit was handpicked and delivered to the winery before destemming into small open top fermenters. A short cold soak followed by a 9-day fermentation before pressing to nearly 20 % new large format French Oak.   The wine was then transferred to tank before bottling.

A very unassuming man is Adrian Sparks, and a no-bullshit kind of guy. He lets his wine do the talking for him. This is a little more earthy and robust, as compared to the 1880, and while it’s different in that way, it’s also very good. Deep, rich dark cherry and blackberry flavour, musk and plum, also, with a spicy earthy character too. It’s medium-bodied, fleshy and earthy, with ripe silky tannin, freshness, and a long rolling finish offering peat and spice, and a savoury finish of excellent length, a slurry of Turkish coffee tannin as it goes. Quite stony and ferrous, but still bright and lively, and maybe some boysenberry pie flavours in the aftertaste. Wonderful expression of old vine Hunter hillside grapes. Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $140; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2025-2042+; Rated: 96 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front