VINOUS | Angus Hughson

Angus Hughson is a digital wine media specialist, drinks communicator and publisher who tells the great Australian wine story through various roles including Australian Editor for Vinous, Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark due in 2023, regular columnist in The Australian, contributing writer to Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine, founder of Winepilot and the co-publisher of The Vintage Journal. – AH

McLAREN VALE: PUSHING THE ENVELOPE OF REFINEMENT

“There are few better places in Australia to discover cutting-edge wines than McLaren Vale. Formerly a key home for large-scale commercial winemaking, McLaren Vale has transformed into a base for artisanal, terroir-driven winemakers with an increasing focus on single-vineyard wines of distinction. The 2022 vintage in particular offers insights into an exciting future. It has been two years since my last extended trip to McLaren Vale. Thanks to December timing, winemakers had broad smiles on their faces and a spring in their step, with dry, warm, clement weather a very promising early sign for the 2025 vintage. This comes as a welcome relief from the relative challenges of recent years.” – AH
– Read on here – McLaren Vale: Pushing the Envelope of Refinement

2022 DAVE’S BLOCK | 94 POINTS
Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale Shiraz | THE SINGLE VINEYARD SERIES

“The delightful 2022 Shiraz Dave’s Block is a picture of refinement. Its wood smoke, charcuterie and dried oregano aromas are supported by well-balanced new oak. The 2022 is fleshy in texture and punctuated by al-dente tannins. This young and embryonic Shiraz will be at its best with time in the cellar.” – AH Drinking Window: 2028 – 2038

2022 TWELFTREE ADAMS ROAD | 94 POINTS
McLaren Vale Grenache | TWELFTREE WINES

“The expressive and sophisticated 2022 Grenache Twelftree Adams Road Grenache is seamless with its layers of pristine plum and red earth with a fennel seed lift. This is generously textured with dark berry flavors and granitic layers, gliding to a long, seamless finish accented by sandy tannins. There’s plenty to like here and this will build over the next decade.” – AH Drinking Window: 2027 – 2035

2022 WANDERLUST | 93 POINTS
McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot | THE SHOWROOM SERIES

“This firm and well-structured 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Wanderlust is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. This is built to last with its bold aromas of gravel and blackberry and a rich core of sweet oak. Its gentle, smoky and peaty complexity is underscored by a rich core of dark fruit flavors, with ripe tannins delivering a youthful, muscular finish. The 2022 is a super impressive modern take of McLaren Vale.” – AH Drinking Window: 2028 – 2040

2022 LILY’S GARDEN | 92 POINTS
McLaren Vale Shiraz | THE GARDEN SERIES

“The 2022 Shiraz Lily’s Garden is a more elegant style of Two Hands Lily’s Garden Shiraz. Thanks to the vintage, it delivers black olive, thyme and dark chocolate aromas with sweet new vanillin oak in play. This is quite tight and firm in texture with complex wood smoke and black earth complexity building over a lengthy, focused finish. The 2022 needs time to show its best.” – AH Drinking Window: 2027 – 2036

2022 TWELFTREE SCHULLER | 90 POINTS
McLaren Vale Grenache | TWELFTREE WINES

“The 2022 Grenache Twelftree Schuller Road Grenache is a chunky and fleshy expression, with cooked cherry and carob aromas lifted by subtle meaty tones. It’s plush in style, although a little heavy set and lacking energy, suggesting this will be best enjoyed young.” – AH Drinking Window: 2025 – 2028

2023 YESTERDAY’S HERO | 90 POINTS
McLaren Vale Grenache | THE PICTURE SERIES

“This well-made 2023 Grenache Yesterday’s Hero is built for a good time, not a long time, with its vibrant musky, red cherry aromas and a generous serving of woody herbs. It is lightweight, charming and silky, with just enough tannins to hold the ship together for enjoyment over the next two to three years.” – AH Drinking Window: 2025 – 2028