2023 Hatch Vesey Shiraz

Rich and sumptuous with a youthful freshness, robust structure and long, dense conclusion.

Chris Hatcher, affectionately known as Hatch, has been a winemaker for almost 50 years including more than 35 years at Wolf Blass where he picked up numerous awards including the Jimmy Watson Trophy and three time IWSC international winemaker of the year. Having recently retired from the corporate winemaking scene Hatch has embarked on his own personal venture for which his first releases have received widespread critical acclaim.

A blend of several vineyards across the Mclaren Vale region, Vesey takes its name from Chris Hatcher’s great-grandfather Alf Vesey who started winemaking at Penfolds in 1883. He worked at Magill for an amazing 69 years and was the Master Winemaker for 47 of those years during which time he famously mentored Max Schubert, the creator of Penfolds Grange.

Super saturated inky black heart with an equally deep dark purple black hue. Heady ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum scents waft through the nostrils complimented by some ripe blueberry, toasty vanillin cedar and peppered earth notes. Rich, sumptuous blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits are delivered with impressive intensity and opulence. Spicy vanillin cedar, earth, subtle dark chocolate and peppered fennel elements the back drop. Powerful and carrying a slightly muscular feel it has sturdy yet polished tannins and a youthful freshness. Concludes long and dense with a robust structure.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
It is one of those things, that when you get good fruit and a good winemaker, good things happen. This is a good thing, a very good thing. It’s a blend of several McLaren Vale vineyards made with largely traditional techniques and using a mix of predominantly seasoned French oak but with an important contribution of American oak and a little new French. It’s beautifully soft and supple but there is a chalky acidity and fine tannin structure providing definition and direction. Love the complementary characters of red and black fruits with the seductive perfumes of blueberry. Drink 2024-2034.
97 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com