Mount Henry relabelled. Love the new polish

Mount Pleasant Mount Henry Shiraz Pinot 2011 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
14.5%, Screwcap, $50
Source: Sample
www.mountpleasantwines.com.au

The companion piece to the new Mothervine Pinot Noir mentioned yesterday, this facelifted version of the Mount Henry Shiraz Pinot also looks modern and stylish. You can credit Gwyn Olsen – Mcwilliams dynamic new(ish) senior winemaker – with that fresh new edge.

I tasted this next to the Mothervine Pinot Noir actually and initially thought it was a better wine. A longer look, and a glass or so later, and I’m not quite as convinced. The familiarity and obvious charms of earthen, plum wine-esque Hunter Shiraz do seduce, but the slightly disjointed, freshly-out-of-the-barrel style makes this just a little rough edged. It needs much time to come together. Much.

Regardless, this is nothing it not alluring – there’s just a hint of carbonic-like red fruit tingle confection over a big slice of blueberry/plum fruit. Lots of plum essence fruit, but savoury still and dry. Achingly backwards on the palate though, mid-weight, polished and silken but showing dominant alcohol through the finish and a sort of abruptness too.

The best part about this wine is that silken texture, that brightness and that savoury blue fruit flavour. Those harder edges suggest that this begs for time to really satisfy. I think it will get there. 17.8/92+

(Postscript: I just checked my notes and this is not released until Novemberish. All is well perhaps).