Description
David Hook cut his teeth at legendary Hunter Valley wineries such as Tyrells and Lake’s Folly and after several years as ‘flying’ winemaker in Bordeaux, Spain and the US, he returned home in the ’80s to plant his Pothana Vineyard in Belford, Hunter Valley. The Belford Dome as it is known, is a geological formation of red clay soils overlaying limestone – excellent for reds and interspersed with sandy loams on the creek flats beautifully suited to whites. Natural organic approach in the vineyard (no chemical fertilisers).
The wines from the Pothana Vineyard comprise his premium Old Vine and Reserve labels. Hooky’s decade in the northern hemisphere developed his passion for italian varieties: Pinot Grigio and Barbera. His winemaking style is modern traditional, minimal handling, sparing use of new oak with an emphasis on purity of fruit and elegance.
The Old Vines is only produced in exceptional years and 2014 was a dream growing season which has been heralded a ‘vintage of a generation in the Hunter in 2014′. Bruce Tyrell said of 2014 vintage: “Well this is possibly the best of both this, and last century!”
Handpicked from original 30 year old, low-yielding vineyard planted on the Belford Dome, an ancient geological formation with distinct soils. Shiraz thrives on the slopes of red clay over limestone. This shiraz was fermented in open fermenters, followed by maturation for 12 months in French oak. Deep brick red in colour, the wine has pin point focus in aromas of black fruits, spice, pepper and savoury oak. Beautiful generous and fine purity of blackberry dominate the palate, layers of complexity and structure with elegance, vibrancy and balance. Drinking beautifully now but this is a classic medium bodied shiraz to age over the next 10 or more years. 13.5% Alc
96 points, James Halliday, 2017 Australian Wine Companion: “Very good colour; an expressive and complex bouquet with black fruits, spice and sweet polished leather, the medium-bodied palate picking up where the bouquet leaves off, perfectly proportioned and balanced, black fruits and spices in abundance. Oh that I should live so long to enjoy these wines as they move towards maturity 20+ years hence. Their future is guaranteed by their inherent elegance and balance.”
RRP $60
