2019 Barossa Valley Alice’s Mataro
Steve Leszczynski (www.qwinereviews.com)
93 Points - Often a work horse and regularly blended away, but when Mataro is left alone it has the ability to shine. A case in point here. A wonderful wine from Hayes Family Wines and the hands of Andrew Seppelt.
Speaking of horses, the wine is named after the owner's daughter, Alice. Surely she gets a cut of the profits, or at least he could buy her a horse. We might get that trending - #BuyAliceAPony. Mind you, I might be taken out by sniper if I keep that chat going, so it's probably safer to get to the wine in question...
I'll tell you what though, this wine has the potential to take you to higher places. I love the feels and the mystique about it. You get a sense it is like a hawk circling in a sun drenched blue sky. You know it's going to swoop down soon, but when...
And when it does it's captivating. As the evenings cool, it's a drink the bottle without sharing sort of proposition. Admittedly I fell into that trap. Raspberries and dark chocolate get me in early. It's earthy with touches of char. Dried herbs too. Some juicy fruit chimes in with a smattering of black pepper. A little slippery in the mouth, silty perhaps? It gains traction with fine tannins running long. I dig it and it's a wine (and variety) well worth getting around. Lovely stuff.
Drink to six years+
2018 Barossa Valley Alice’s Mataro
2020 Wine Companion (James Halliday)
94 Points - From the Schulz Vineyard, hand-picked, destemmed, open-fermented, matured in a single used hogshead, 400 bottles made. Deep crimson; multiple red fruits/layers; good tannins, immaculate balance.
Drink by: 2030
Huon Hooke (huon.hooke.com)
92 points (Silver Medal) - Deep youthful red/purple colour, with a slight suggestion of raisined grape aroma, spicy too, with depth of character beyond its tender age. There's a little youthful aggression but also richness and concentration. This took a while to open up and show its goods. Lots of pepper and spice, deep and earthy and full of mystery. Great value. 23/2/2019
Drink 2020 to 2033
2017 Barossa Valley Mataro
Huon Hooke (huon.hooke.com)
89 points (Bronze Medal) - Deepish red/purple hue, the bouquet earthy, meaty, funky (in a good way) and attractively complex, the palate soft and smoothly-textured, with lovely ripe silky tannins and deep-set plummy fruit. The wine is drinking very well already. 25/3/2018
Drink 2018 to 2028
QWine
93 Points - Damn this just feels good. Mataro is so underrated. Often the wingman, here's a top example of the variety standing on its own two feet. Take a bow winemaker Mr Seppelt.
Fruit and savoury characteristics mesh with ease. Blueberry and raspberry are met with aromas of violet, faint clove, sarsaparilla, and dried red flowers. The palate is soft and laced with roasted meats, red fruits, a kick of earthiness plus bright acidity. Super fine to finish, it's nothing but super value. Charge at this hand over fist.
Drink now to six years.
Steve Leszczynski
qwinereviews.com, March 2018
Tyson Stelzer (www.tysonstelzer.com)
91 Points - Brett Hayes describes 2017 as a season more about elegance than raw power, and his Ebenezer mataro captures this mood eloquently. Primary red cherry, blackberry and strawberry fruits are graced with soft, supple tannins and just a hint of earthy character to confirm that this is truly mataro. A great value red in a friendly and fruity style to enjoy in its youth.
Drink 2018-2019
2015 Barossa Valley Mataro
2018 Wine Companion
94 Points - Bottle no. 18 of 300. There's a laudable approach with all the Hayes Family wines of picking while there's fruit freshness and adequate acidity. This fragrant mataro has delicious red fruits and superfine tannins.
Drink by: 2023
James Halliday
2018 Wine Companion
WBM 100 of the Best
93 Points - 'This is a really good Mataro, super perfumed, ribbed with tannins, deep in flavour but still holds a perky freshness that translates to ease of drinking. Cola and blueberries, rose water and raspberry is the go. I like the soft nature of those tannins too. It's such a pleasant mouthful of red wine. 14%'
Mike Bennie
WBM: Australia's Wine Business Magazine, March/April 2017
QWine
93 Points - Mataro from the Barossa sub-region of Ebenezer. Low on the oak influence, enjoyment factor is high. Great drinking. Top value.
A calming, medium bodied wine offering plenty of comfort. Game meat, a kick of earth, dried red currants plus a wash of raspberry and a whisper of leather. There's a sprinkle of spice. There's a flicker of dried herb. Gravitating drying and dusty tannins to finish. I could make easy work of this. Find some slow cooked meat to partner a big glass.
Drink now to six years.
Steve Leszczynski
qwinereviews.com, July 2017