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Technical Tasting Notes
2022 Hillside Shiraz
GROWING SEASON
The 2022 Barossa Valley vintage will be remembered as the second almost faultless season in a row after an equally impressive although different 2021 vintage. Both Vintages were cool, the coolest since 2002. Good spring rain meant that we entered the growing season with good soil moisture levels. warm dry growing season followed, with balanced and healthy canopy producing an average crop of extremely high quality fruit.
A pigeon pair, perhaps the best two since 1990/1991 if not longer. The good news is that flavours and colours (in reds) and the vibrancy and lift in the whites are incredible. Overall quality is exceptional.
TASTING NOTE
The combination of our old vines, special terroir and a wonderful season saw Block 9 of our Estate Vineyard truly excel. This block, with east west rows sits mid slope facing south. The conditions can be tough, but the grapes produced sets it above our other blocks. The Upper section of Block 9, or Hillside produced a little over 1 tonne of fruit in the wonderful 2022 vintage. Deep rich purple and black fruits, fine tannin, structured but so exceptionally balanced that it can be consumed now or in 20 years.
SPECIFICATIONS
Region: Barossa Valley
Sub Region: Stone Well
Variety: Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 600 bottles
Cellaring: 10 years+
Winemaker: Andrew Seppelt
Download Technical Tasting Notes 2024 Vintage →
Reviews
2024 Hillside Shiraz
Steve Leszczynski (Qwinereviews.com)
95 Points - If you’re chasing an old school Barossa Shiraz with no shortage of flavour, this Hayes Family Wines Hillside Shiraz delivers in spades.
From the certified organic Hayes Hillside Block in Stone Well, it's dense, rich and wonderfully concentrated from the outset. An intriguing touch of apricot kernel brings almost Roussanne-like vibes before dark plums, rich cherries and black fruits take command. Layers of caramel, dark chocolate and cloves build depth, with hints of caramel slice adding an indulgent twist. Woodsy and earthy spices weave confidently through the palate, while the finish seems to go on forever, driven by remarkable persistence and moreish appeal. This is a wine that stands tall, embracing the generous, full-flavoured Barossa style without apology. Lovers of bigger, richer Shiraz will feel right at home here.
2022 Hillside Shiraz
Ryan Montgomery (jamessuckling.com)
95 Points - A spectacular, textural, intense and composed shiraz. It has aromas of dark plums, mulberries, dried herbs, dark chocolate, warm spices and some leather. Full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Plenty of weight, with a fine texture at the edges. Driven and vviid at the center thanks to a stream of peppercorns and dried herbs. Peppery and flavorful with a long, focused, linear finish. Drink or hold.
2021 Hillside Shiraz
Not submitted for review
