2018 Thomas Wines Sweetwater Shiraz

Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

Grape: Shiraz

Culinary Suggestions: BBQ meats with roasted potatoes and onions or hard cheeses

About

Despite cutting his wine teeth on the full-throttle Shiraz of McLaren Vale where he grew up, Andrew (Thommo) Thomas developed a deep passion for the more reserved wines of the Hunter Valley during his formative winemaking years. Having lived in the Hunter now for almost 30 years, with over ten of those spent as a winemaker at Tyrrells, Andrew has gained a great respect for and understanding of the two great wine styles that the Hunter produces - Semillon and Shiraz.

In 1997, Andrew started Thomas Wines with a view to making single vineyard Semillon and Shiraz that would rival the Hunter greats. Sourced from low-cropping old and mature vineyards in the areas traditionally suited to each variety the wines are lavished with attention in the winery using a modern spin on the techniques learnt from the Hunter’s old timers.

Andrew has also revived premium Hunter Valley multi-regional blends that have produced some of Australia’s most popular wines in the past for the Two of a Kind range. Thomas Wines are leading a growing band of next-generation Hunter Valley producers who are re-defining the region. - Distributor Note

Tasting Notes

It’s well powered in Hunter terms but its quality is in its elegance, balance and length. It’s finely stitched. It’s a meaty, smoky, spicy shiraz with cherry-plum, aniseed, hay and sweet cedar wood characters flowing persuasively through. It’ll age a treat.

93+ points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front May 2020

Drink: 2022 - 2032

The deep, loamy soils here deliver a wine of exceptional richness and soft, fleshy power. Aromas of ripe summer berries and plums with freshly tilled earth and some gentle oak influence. The palate has a very fleshy, pliable and deeply rich core of berries. So delicious already. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

94 points - jamessuckling.com October 2020