Today we have some exciting news to share with you - Brave New World Wine is growing. For 5 years, we’ve been serving up the greatest South African wines but we are now ramping up with lots of exciting news to share in the coming months, so stay tuned.
To start, let me introduce your new guide on Australian wine, Angus Hughson. Angus has worked in the wine trade in London and Sydney for over twenty years and in that time he has been one of the country’s leading wine commentators with regular articles in The Australian and Gourmet Traveller WINE.
Today he is the founder and publisher of Winepilot, The Vintage Journal and is also the Australian Editor for the influential global publication, VINOUS with Antonio Galloni which you can find here.
Angus will now be working with us to provide our customers with an inside track on the latest and greatest Australian wines.
Here is his report on a recent trip to the Barossa Valley and his first pick for us.
Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz 2022
Four hundred Barossa wines in ten days. It sounds like a lot, and it is. The odyssey started with a full rundown of new Penfolds releases with Peter Gago at the Kalimna homestead before heading out on the road. Penfolds is a good place to kickoff and this year’s releases showcased the quality of the 2021 and 2022 vintages, and the important differences between them.
The highlight of any regional trip though is spending time with the key winemakers and getting their take on the seasons. This year I caught up with Brett of Eperosa, Troy Kalleske, Brett from Hayes Family Wines, Stephen from Eisenstone, Pete Schell at Spinifex as well as David Powell with his new project, Neldner Road, which was a very pleasant surprise.
Walking through vineyards is also particularly illuminating even at this time of year and gives insights into their health and potential. But then it is time for the hard slog, day after teeth staining day of working through the best of the Barossa.
What it undoubtedly proved was that the best Barossa Shiraz from 2022 will be outstanding and a cut above the much revered 2021 which are just a shade lighter with more gentle tannins without the sheer impact of 2022.
These tastings are like a baptism of fire where only the greatest wines stand up to be counted. And one of the picks from this year was the Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz from 2022.
Hentley Farm are a newer player in the Barossa making a slick modern style.
From the golden heart of Barossa country and on the bank of Greenock Creek comes this remarkable Barossan Shiraz, lifted by just a touch of Viognier, which is beautifully integrated and difficult to spot.
Young and tight, it radiates with plum conserve, graphite and gravelly aromas with excellent weight of fruit and tannins with a gentle acid cut. Superb balance and structure help to drive a long and strong finish.
A classic Barossan that is moreish now but will get even better over the next decade and longer.
Interested in adding Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz 2022 to your cellar?
