Hope Estate Shiraz / Malbec

Wine information: Hope Estate was established in 1994 when Michael Hope gave up his pharmacy career to do something he loved – to make wine. The winery, adjoining the new Fordwich vineyard, was purchased in 1996 and occupies the site of the former Saxonvale Winery which lay dormant for a number of years. Renamed the Hill of Hope, after years of standing as en empty shell, the winery once again became operational after having been refitted for his first vintage of Hope Estate in 1997. Taking a giant leap forward Michael acquired the Kyneton based Virgin Hills wine business in Victoria and the 45 acre Donnybrook vineyard in Western Australia in 2000. All wine from these interstate vineyards being bottled, warehoused and distributed from his Hunter headquarters at Broke. Since then he’s built one of the Hunter Valley's most successful family owned wineries. Hope Estate has 13 hectares of vines in the Macedon Ranges region of Victoria. Located at the foot of the Great Dividing Range the area is described as “marginal” due to low temperatures and strong winds.  This challenging climate produces very intense flavours from low yielding vines.  The vines were planted in 1968 and are dry grown without irrigation. These are the same vineyards from which the famous Virgin Hills is made. The Malbec adds some interesting berry characters to the Shiraz. Aged 18 months 100% French oak (25% new).

Tasting Notes: Hope Estate Shiraz / Malbec is very dark, red and inky. The nose has aromas of white and black pepper spice, plum and strawberry. The palate is full-bodied with cedary oak. It has a fleshy mid-palate with super fine tannin and long berry fruit finish.

Food & drink match: Great with a juicy steak or lamb.

 
     

Enter your e-mail address and click the button to opt into the Fareham Wine Cellar mailing list: