2021 Hewitson Old Garden Mourvèdre 750ml

The Old Garden vineyard, established in 1853, stands as the world's oldest Mourvèdre vineyard. With dry-grown, pre-Phylloxera vines, this rare gem, preserved at Rowland Flat, features eight remaining rows tended by Friedrich Koch and his direct descendants for three centuries. Winemaker Dean Hewitson crafts his acclaimed single-vineyard table wine, aptly named Old Garden, from this historic plot. Alcohol ABV: 13.5% Critic tasting note: (2021 vintage) "Planted 1853, these are the oldest Mourvèdre vines on planet, ungrafted, pre phylloxera vines dry farmed by the same family, where every vine is the original 1853 planting. That is unbelievable!!! So much history in your glass. This is one intense Mourvèdre, a seriously solid wine with dense mulberry and blackberry fruit that is almost impenetrable. A considerable amount of whole bunch at 85%, combined with licks of oak around the edges allows the wine to unfurl in the glass. Reminded me of Chinese salted plum, the tang with sweetness. Vanilla oak gives sweet oak tannins that are ripe but chewy so need time to integrate. The wine is juicy, plush and flavoursome but a king-size mouthful, needing time." - Winepilot Drinking Window: 2024-2036