Mount Pleasant Old Paddock and Old Hill Shiraz is made from grapes handpicked from two of the Hunter Valley’s oldest vineyards. Old Hill was first planted by legend and trailblazer Maurice O’ Shea in 1921, while Old Hill dates back to 1880. These are old vines with character and distinction. A deep, rich Hunter Valley red, you’ll find sweet red and blackberry fruit, with dense oak and chocolate on the long finish. Built to age.
All things considered this is a bit of a steal. The history, the class in the bottle, the potential longevity, the importance. It's a beautiful medium weight red wine. It tastes of musk, earth, peppercorn and ripe red/black cherries. It has vigour and momentum, yet it feels settled and controlled. It sings through the finish. It doesn't put a foot wrong.
96 points, Wine Companion (December 2019)
Earthy, plum and liquorice, toasty and spicy cedar oak in support. It’s deep and spicy, grainy tannin, savoury and earthy, throbbing with dark old vine hillside power, boysenberry and almost cranberry acidity pulsing on a long and tannic finish. It’s a wine of gravel and gravitas. The best is yet to come.
95+ points, The Wine Front (August 2019)
Deep, bright colour; the bouquet fragrant, floral and red fruited, with hints of violet. The palate is rich and deep but also soft and accessible, charming and relatively open-knit for a young shiraz from this maker. There's abundant spice in the aroma and flavour and lively acidity energises the medium to full-bodied palate. Tannins are fine and supple but insistent. Lovely wine.
95 points, The Real Review (September 2019)
The Hunter Valley is the most important quality wine-producing region in New South Wales, even though it represents only a fraction of the state’s production. Established in the early 1800s, the first vignerons recognised that the coastal fringe north of Sydney was too wet and humid for viable viticulture and thus took the decision to move into the hinterland. Although the region can be particularly hot, the cloud and rainfall patterns significantly modify the microclimate. The Hunter Valley is maritime influenced, with afternoon sea breezes funnelling up through the Hunter River and Goulburn River gap. Rainfall is very erratic and can arrive at the most inopportune time. Soils are generally rich volcanic and alluvial. The best vineyard sites are located within sight of the imposing Brokenback Range that is exposed to the cool sea breezes. Further inland, the maritime influence gives way to a greater degree of continentality. The Hunter Valley is best known for exceptional age-worthy Semillon and fresh savoury medium-bodied Shiraz, although Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay also perform well.
