2021 Harkham Wines Aziza's Shiraz

Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia

Grape: Shiraz

Culinary Suggestions: Tapas, BBQ Meats, Cheeses

Vineyard Practice: Sustainable

About

When I started my business some years ago I knew every wine that I wanted to work with from France as I had been researching and tasting for many years and so I had a shortlist of every producer to visit.  If you has told me then that a wine produced in the same manner as those from L'Anglore or Clos de Tue-Boeuf  would emerge from the Hunter Valley then I probably wouldn't have believed it.

Richie Harkham is an ebullient man  who likes to have fun and this spirit is evident in his wine. Made in the 'natural', preservative free manner together with winemaker Jayde Smith this Hunter Valley Shiraz is like no other. Fresh, grapey, pulpy and bright, it glistens with life. Silky and joyous in the mouth it nonetheless faithfully reflects it's origins with a broad swath of  dark fruits and the signature rustic, earthen complexity for which the Hunter is famous.

Richie purchased the winery buildings and land in 2008 and works with five local growers very closely to ensure that his access to top grade fruit is direct and pays the premium required for this to be effective. The Chardonnay comes from a vineyard planted by Murray Tyrrell called ‘Leogate’; it’s very close to Tyrrells famous HVD vineyard and virtually next door to it’s Moon Mountain vineyard. The Shiraz comes from two main parcels that are quite far apart; the ‘FGH’ block close to the winery delivers punchy, dark and typically earthy fruit, and the ‘Tree’ block at Mount Broke that provides fragrant lift and fresh acidity. - Distributor Note

Tasting Notes

The 13th vintage of Aziza's and 2021 is a superb vintage at Harkham that Richie is very happy about - the fruit came in in excellent condition and this one he has made all his own. This fermented naturally for 9 days and had a couple of days maceration afterwards. It took it's time to get through the malolactic fermentation and was aged in bottle - I have been patiently waiting !