St Hugo is one of those much maligned brands that has suffered from the sins of the past. Only recalled as a mid-tier “old man’s wine” from the dry red days of the structured Coonawarra Cabernet. Full credit to the team behind St Hugo as they have extended the portfolio sideways to include multi regional blends and single varietals, including a pair of whites. Chief winemaker is now Peter Munro for the St Hugo range and it should have a bright future. This particular release has won a gold and a silver at Royal Sydney Wine Show.
St Hugo, Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro, Barossa, 2016
A wine of quiet reflection and purpose. Perfectly judged oak simply acts as a guiding hand to the beautifully balanced grenache dominant profile. Precise red fruits, the right touch of plummy depth and mataro giving freshness. The tannins are finely woven. Elegant, exacting, exciting.
RRP: $57.99
Alc: 14.4%
Rating: 19.25/20
Wine sample courtesy of St Hugo and Pernod Ricard