2023 Mount Pleasant Mountain A Shiraz, Hunter Valley

Rosehill '65 vines with a 10% addition of '46 Rosehill shiraz post-maturation. Utterly gorgeous and expansive with a generous mid-palate and opulent, dark, soft fruits. Dark cherries and mulberries with distinctive floral tones. Supple, silky and sumptuous yet fluid, vibrant and alive.

96 points Toni Paterson MW winecompanion.com.au

Mount Pleasant Mountain A Shiraz is one of the great historic reds of the Hunter Valley and a cornerstone of Australian wine heritage. The Mountain A vineyard was planted in the early 1940s and has long been celebrated for producing Shiraz of perfume, savoury depth and extraordinary longevity rather than sheer power. Sitting on red loam soils over clay, the site naturally limits vigour and delivers fruit with structure, acidity and that unmistakable Hunter Valley stamp.

Mount Pleasant was shaped by the vision of Maurice O’Shea, one of Australia’s most influential winemakers, who believed deeply in vineyard individuality and wines built for time. Mountain A Shiraz was one of his most important sites, and the philosophy established then continues today. The wine is made in a traditional Hunter style, picked relatively early, with moderate alcohol, fine tannins and restrained oak that allows the vineyard character to speak clearly.

In the glass, the wine is immediately distinctive. Red cherry, mulberry and plum skin sit alongside classic Hunter notes of earth, dried herbs and subtle spice. With air, layers of leather, tea leaf and forest floor emerge, giving complexity and a sense of age even when young. There is often a gentle floral lift too, violets and dried rose, adding perfume rather than sweetness.

On the palate, Mountain A Shiraz is all about balance and shape. It is medium bodied, savoury and finely structured, with bright natural acidity carrying the fruit through the palate. Tannins are fine grained and persistent, providing a framework that feels firm but never heavy. Oak is beautifully understated, supporting the wine without imprinting flavour. The finish is long, composed and quietly powerful, echoing spice, earth and red fruit.

This is a Shiraz made for the cellar. While it can be enjoyed young with decanting, Mountain A truly comes into its own with time, evolving gracefully over twenty to thirty years. With age, it develops layers of leather, truffle, dried herbs and savoury complexity while retaining its core of freshness and structure. At the table, it shines with roast lamb, duck, pork, game birds or mushroom based dishes.

Mount Pleasant Mountain A Shiraz is not a wine that shouts. It speaks in a measured, confident voice, offering depth, nuance and longevity. A benchmark Hunter Valley Shiraz and an essential bottle for lovers of classic Australian reds.