2019 Chateau Pato Old Pokolbin Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley

There is fantastic colour with a rich, bright density. The nose has a pronounced fragrance of red fruits, ripe strawberry/raspberry, with a hint of spice to round it out. All of these aroma profiles follow through with a fruit burst on the palate. It is elegant and generous, with supple tannins to support the fruit and spice, with a rich finish.

Established in 1980 by the late David Paterson. The Château Pâto legacy lives on through son Nicholas. The majority of the old vines are Shiraz with smaller blocks of Chardonnay, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Mourvedre. Nick makes both the old Hunter River Burgundy style with the ‘OPV’ Old Pokolbin Vineyard Shiraz, while the ‘DJP’ which is named in commemoration of Nick’s late father David John Paterson is more of the fuller Claret style.

This wine is made from 100% Shiraz from the original Lindemans Stevens vineyard planted in the late 1960’s. Large format French oak was used mostly older with 35 % new to provide a pronounced but subtle back bone.