2022 Hedonist Shiraz - The Hedonist

$26.00 / bottle

$265.20 / case (12)

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The fruit for the Hedonist Shiraz predominantly comes from our estate grown certified organic/biodynamic vineyard in the Willunga foothills, as well as from various organic and biodynamic vineyards in the Sellicks Foothills, Blewitt Springs and Kangarilla – all from vastly different soil profiles and aspects across the McLaren Vale district.

McLaren Vale experienced a wet winter, but also a mild spring and summer. This created superb ripening conditions from fruit set and flowering through version and ripening. Yields, however, were slightly down across the board. 2021 was touted ‘the best quality vintage so far this century’, but 2022 will give it a run for its money. A civilised vintage created a relaxed picking environment and enabled an ideal balance of sugar ripeness, natural acidity, and texture in the resulting wines.

The Shiraz was harvested and destemmed in stages from mid-March to early April. The grapes went straight from the vineyard into open top fermenters – with a significant portion remaining whole berries - for between 8-20 days, apart from a small portion of the fruit which was hand-picked and fermented whole bunch. Malolactic fermentation and maturation took place in 40% seasoned French oak foudre (4,500L) and 300L French oak hogsheads - 10% new & 40% seasoned for 16 months before final blending and bottling. No fining.

COLOUR: Deep red with purple hues
BOUQUET: Red berries, blueberries, liquorice, macadamia and a kick of freshly cracked black pepper
PALATE: Abundant and layered, displaying a rich tapestry of flavours. The dusty, firm tannins provide a solid structure, creating a framework that supports and enhances the vibrant fruit, building a solid foundation but also elegantly filling out the middle palate, resulting in a well-balanced, approachable wine.

VARIETY

Shiraz

HARVEST DATES

Mid-March-early April 2022

OAK TREATMENT: 40% seasoned French oak foudre (4,500L) and 300L French oak hogsheads - 10% new & 40% seasoned for 16 months

ANALYSIS: Alc: 14% vol, pH: 3.48, TA: 6.0g/L, GF: 0.85g/L

2018 Hedonist Shiraz

Gold Medal - 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards
93 points - Wine Companion 2021 Edition, Ned Goodwin MW, 01 Aug 2020

"As delicious across this sort of winemaking regime as shiraz can possibly be in the Vale: a little whole-bunch; a lotta' whole berry. Four-weeks on skins and 12 months in a a melody of French oak, different ages and sizes. Violet and iodine scents. Joyously lifted. Then blue to mulberry and molten cherry. Olive, anise and pepper-grind, all cladding the gently swathe of pulpy tannins. A lovely pulse. Real flow and good length."

2017 Hedonist Shiraz

95 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019

“Estate certified organic/biodynamic fruit kick-starts this excellent shiraz that's fresh, buoyant and drinkable by the bucket-load. Restraint says by the glass and as this is a restrained McLaren Vale red, fair enough. Savour the poppy, red plums and pomegranate, threads of spice, the appealing grainy tannins and more besides.”

Silver Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2018
Silver Medal - McLaren Vale Wine Show 2018
Lisa Johnston, www.winemusing.com, October 19, 2018

The Hedonist Shiraz offers many things to many people. It is made from grapes from biodynamic vineyards in McLaren Vale, a region known for its soft, juicy, immediately approachable shiraz. The Clappis family are committed to making their McLaren Vale fruit shine right across their range which is focused on red wines made not only from traditional regional treasures, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon but also tempranillo and sangiovese (including a sangiovese rosé).
In its purple hued, ruby depths you will find the typical pepper and liquorice sitting happily with red and black berry and cherry fruits. Then some cinnamon wafts along to add some depth and dimension. There is plenty of elegance to this fruit as it slinks down the palate which is fuller in body, detailed on the finish and long and lingering. I could sit down with a glass of this and a plate of venison sausages or even a chunky beef pie and be happy indeed. Whether you are after a wine that treads lightly on the ground, or should I say, vineyard, a wine that offers up the best of the McLaren Vale, or one that is simply delicious drinking for not a lot of cash, this wine gives generously indeed.

Quickie review «Juicy and plump berry fruit with a soft spice note. The Hedonist shares with a generous heart. »

Country of Origin: McLaren Vale, Australia
Tasting Date: September 2018
Price: AU $23| US $| UK £11.5
Drink: now – 5+ years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

http://www.winemusing.com/the-hedonist-shiraz-2017/?fbclid=IwAR3hQxYB_KK9Wq4yCSF5-2jUKpkAJfmyeSRm4lcc49z2dGZDMiFH8p8mszo

2016 Hedonist Shiraz

94 points - Wine Companion 2019 Edition, James Halliday, 01 Aug 2018

"Destemmed, wild yeast open-fermented, 14 days on skins, fermentation completed in and 12 months maturation in new French oak, then a further 12 months maturation in used French oak. Deeply coloured; sophisticated winemaking has resulted in a full-bodied shiraz that will be very long lived, feeding on its balance and length, firm tannins that are nonetheless ripe one specific of its many building blocks. Gold medal International Shiraz Challenge '18 no surprise. Great value."

Gold Medal - 2018 International Wine Competition

90 points - The Wine Front, Campbell Mattinson, 21 May 2018

"Grown biodynamically, matured in both French (20% new) and American oak, filtered but bottled unfined.
Sweet with fruit, laced with oak, slinky smooth without being syrupy. Nicely done. The flavour profile feels riper than its 14% alcohol would suggest, with slightly baked/tar-like characters evident, but superfine tannin, that texture, a raspberried brightness and good overall balance put the wine in a good drinking/performing place."

2015 Hedonist Shiraz

91 points - Wine Companion 2018 Edition, James Halliday, 01 Aug 2017

92 points - The Wine Front, Gary Walsh, 19 June 2017

"Not too familiar with this producer, but good wine in the glass. Juicy raspberry, cherry, spice and vanilla perfume. Medium bodied, again fresh and juicy, almost playful, but not without depth. Tannin is ripe and lightly chewy, acidity fresh and unobtrusive, and there’s a savoury spiced sausage thing going on as the wine closes. Great drink. So nicely turned out."

Gold Medal - 2017 International Wine Competition

Silver Medal - 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards - 90 points

92 points - Decanter Magazine (June 2017) - Alex Hunt MV, Roger Jones & Anthony Rose

"Firm, smokey note and a meaty texture - not classic McLaren Vale Shiraz but still intriguing, with real poise, balance and length."

2014 Hedonist Shiraz

Gold Medal - The 2015 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge