Start your engines, here we have the 2nd release of this joint label from Australian Formula 1 racing car driver Daniel Ricciardo and the St Hugo team. Winemaker Peter Munro says “Daniel’s creativity and consideration in understanding the nuances of blending was impressive and inspiring. He really invested time and energy into the process. He has excellent intuition when it comes to flavour and a personal preference for elegant components.”
“We went into vintage with an idea of the wines we were going after, sourcing fruit specifically to
meet our criteria. That being, fruit-forward wines that reflect Ricciardo’s personality – lively and joyful,
open and approachable, but also serious at the core.” The first release of the DR3 Shiraz was a 2014, which it seems may have been a quality St Hugo Shiraz that just needed a home. This time around they’ve got the intention right with updated racing inspired labelling, and presented in a funky display box (but still bottled under cork).

St Hugo have gone all out this year along with the regular 750ml bottle, there’s also a Magnum (1.5L/$140), a Double Magnum (3L/$260) and for when you need to celebrate a podium finish there’s a 6L Imperial for $500.  Don’t forget the special release Ricciardo Decanter (750ml) Decanter. Designed by Vert Design, the Ricciardo Decanter is a hand-blown decanter modelled from Daniel Ricciardo’s racing boot that perfectly caters to a 750ml bottle of wine (shoey anyone?) Priced at $700AUD, the
decanters are limited, and presented in a trophy case inspired display box. You also get a letter
from Daniel and certificate of authenticity.

St Hugo, DR3, Shiraz, South Australia, 2020

The wine is a “product of individually created parcels sourced from a range of South Australian regions, matured in oak for 14 months.” Plush mélange of black and red fruit, swaddled in chary oak but not swamped. Ground clove and white pepper spice with pink peppercorn and green olive. Lithe and somewhat sinewy with jaunty youthful angles and tendrils of dark licorice and minerally gun smoke. Will easily cellar, but presents so approachably now.

RRP: $70
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 18.75/20 (94/100)

Wine sample courtesy of St. Hugo