Mr Hugh April Warmers

Apr 04, 2024

As the nights draw in, it’s time to have some fuller flavoured reds at the ready. I have picked two of my favourite South Australian vineyards to make a couple of small-batch beauties. Both wines were made at my old mates David O’Leary and Nick Walker's winery in Clare. The 2021 Blarney Block Coonawarra Cabernet is sourced from one of the oldest and most respected bits of dirt on the Terra Rossa strip. If you like Coonawarra Cabernet – this is for you.

My next pick, my 2022 Barossa Shiraz was made at Honeydew. Honeydew is an old vineyard situated above the Barossa Valley town of Lyndoch – that has been growing grapes since the 1880’s. It creates a more perfumed and savoury style of Shiraz – not your huge alcoholic blockbuster that the American wine critic, Robert Parker, helped proliferate. Deep crimson. Aromas of summer berries, Dutch licorice and spice. The oak and fruit have folded together seamlessly into the intense berry/chocolate-like palate. It will just keep filling out with richness and balanced intensity. Try my new release, the 2022 Honeydew Barossa Shiraz with grilled lamb chops now through to 2034.

In vintage 2023, I had the bright idea to make both a Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the make in the winery the same – to therefore fully show the regional style of each. Great idea BUT the crop levels were incredibly low. So, plan B was simply to put the two Chardonnays together and the Pinots as well. From the response of some of Australia’s best wine expert commentators – it worked!

The 2023 Mr Hugh Mornington Peninsula / Yarra Pinot Noir topped the Real Wine Reviews January Premium Victorian Pinot tasting - Best of Class and Highly Recommended. In the March edition of Wine Front – Gary Walsh said of it, 'it’s a lovely wine and speaks of grape variety clearly. Very good indeed.'

The 2023 Chardonnay also received very nice reviews from the same publications – with Wine Front saying 'the blend of Mornington and Yarra is exciting. We greatly enjoyed its balanced ripe pear and white stone fruits, slaty richness and fine silty texture and beautifully integrated acidic control. Classy.'

I hope you enjoy these new Mr Hugh offering.

Cheers Hugh.