2024 Nicks Secret HEW UG Barossa Shiraz

Crafted by a prominent Barossa Valley producer who specialise in Rhone varietals from old dry grown vines. Matured in old French oak barrels for at least 15 months, this plush, seductive Shiraz makes for superb drinking at a fraction of its normal price.

Rich, sleek and long yet beautifully proportioned and refined.

Impenetrable inky black colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced aromas of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum stream through the nostrils followed by smoky vanillin cedar, earthy fennel and pepper notes. Rich and plush yet showing a sense of refinement, the medium to full bodied palate is swamped with succulent blackberry, liquorice, black cherry and dark plum fruits. Subtlety smoked vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth elements extend across the back half. Understated in its power, it has fine grained, velvet like tannins and a long, finessed finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
From aged dry-grown vines, ungrafted of course, fermentation is with whole berries in open vats, before maturation in old French oak barriques, on lees, for fifteen months. Purple/mauve in colour, on the nose we have notes of bay leaves, cassis, chocolate, plums, vanilla, spices and mulberries. A wonderfully supple texture, there also hints of bacon fat emerging on the palate. The wine has serious length with bright acidity, impressive balance, good focus and satiny tannins on the finish. To be enjoyed over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041.
96 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com

This comes off some very old dry-grown vines that unusually have never been grafted. The aromas are intense, with a plummery, slightly black fruit character merging. Palate is intricately integrated with the fine chalky tannins, plush, smooth fruit, and nicely applied oak. This is an exquisite wine where the palate offers so much. Bright with energy and drive. Gosh, I could drink a bit of this. Drink 2026-2036.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com

The fruit here is both sweet and earthen; the oak is coffeed, toasty and beautifully integrated; the finish is run with black licorice. Peppercorn and violet notes fly here and there; everything about this wine is top notch. Feel, flavour and finish are all elite, as is structure, and there’s a bit of difference in play, courtesy of graphite and smoked floral characters. Drink 2027-2035+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

Opulent and sensually appealing, the pristine fruit richness is enhanced by seductive complexity, showing dark and purple-fruit intensity, toasted spice, vanilla, and cedary oak characters on the nose. It's fleshy and flavoursome, yet structured and robust, with velvety tannins, finishing impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2039.
96 Points
Sam Kim