The blend this year sees 64% Grenache, 30% Shiraz and 6% Mataro harvested from a cool vintage punctuated with rain events. This year’s blend amps up the Shiraz and the winemaking saw extended ferment maceration. The components were matured separately for 6 months in old French oak hogsheads and puncheons. Note: Bottle image below shows 2022, but nought else has changed.

St Hugo, Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro, Barossa, 2023

Full nose of plum sauce, blueberries, chocolate ganache, grated dark chocolate, pink salt and peppercorns, pomegranate and graphite. Showing signature mineral-tight straightness dusted with cocoa powder tannins and a hard push of acidity through the flesh. Retains a title of accessibility and potential for aging.

RRP: $54.99
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 92/100

Wine sample courtesy of St Hugo, Pernod Ricard and Liquid Ideas