A label created by Gary Walsh and Campbell Mattinson, Mountain X Shiraz was created by looking at the past and going with a blend that used to be made many many years ago which was Shiraz Pinot. This wine is made from Shiraz out the Somerset Vineyard in the Hunter and a touch of Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley. Rhys Eather (who is the winemaker for Meera Park and several other labels) is the winemaker and let me just say, the combination of great fruit sourced by guys that really love wine and a brilliant winemaker like Rhys, really shows in this great combination.
Nose of leather, dark AND red fruit and a bit of pepper. I have no other way to put it but it smells juicy. It smells like a Hunter Shiraz but not quite. I'm guessing it must be the Pinot or my brain telling myself it must be the Pinot...Either way, very interesting nose.
As soon as the wine hits my mouth I'm thinking DEFINITELY Hunter Valley shiraz with the earth and leather and then I'm hit with very juicy red fruit and almost an orange juice flavor and refreshing acid. Has a hint of pepper and cloves. Soft tannins...Has very nice balance but quite different than what I would've expected from a mainly Hunter Shiraz. Nice length on the finish. Definitely a well made wine. The best way to summarize this wine would be a brighter, juicier Hunter Shiraz. I think there are only 150 cases made so tough to find. I think they're still available for around 30-35AUD. Great pickup for something different to what you'll normally see. I can see this wine having broader appeal than a standard Hunter Shiraz while still appealing to those that want a Hunter Shiraz.
