2021 Mount Pleasant 1880 Old Hill Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley

Hand picked in three passes, three-day cold soak, nine days on skins, 12 months in French oak. Aromas of fresh earth and leather are matched by red berry and plum fruits, all replayed on the medium-bodied palate. It's the overall juicy freshness and elegance that define this wine and its terroir.

98 Points, James Halliday, Published 06 July 2023

From 141 year old vines, it says on the front label. Curiously, I’m tasting this from a Penfolds branded Shiraz glass, and the contrast could not be more stark. I’m not sure why I have this glass, well, I do know I grabbed it out of the cupboard, though I don’t know where it came from. I reckon it must be something my partner was given some years back?

So clean, such a pure expression of Hunter Shiraz. Boysenberry, raspberry, perfume of aniseed and roses, a discreet sweet soil earthiness. It’s medium-bodied, gentle but tightly packed tannin, fresh feel, expressive and bursting with just-ripe berry flavour, and a super long finish that shows some iron and subtly earthy, and classic, Hunter red fruit. Wonderful. So very good. What a superb wine!

97 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au