2023 Château Pâto OV Shiraz, Hunter Valley

This vineyard makes a Shiraz resembling the traditional Hunter River Burgundies: generous, complex and elegant.

Planted in the 1960s, the dry grown Pokolbin site is planted mainly to Shiraz with a tiny amount of Trebbiano. The two varieties are co-fermented for this wine, with the Trebbiano contributing to colour, aromatics and overall balance. The wine was matured in French oak puncheons for 16 months.

About this producer

Château Pâto is a small 2.5-hectare Pokolbin vineyard planted from 1978 by David and Helen Paterson. David’s son has Nick has been the custodian of the property since his father’s passing in 1993 with a focus on soil and vine health. Most of the vineyard work is done by hand, and the site remains unirrigated.

The range of wines this small producer offers include Shiraz, Semillon, Chardonnay and Marsanne-Roussanne blend, with total production often being less than 500 dozen. Basket pressing is utilised for all varieties, and the wines are fermented and aged in French oak barrels of multiple formats and age.