Hewitson Wines

Old Garden Mourvèdre 2000

00 Old Garden- Hewitson Mourvedre shows its class in ten year vertical tasting
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front on 04-May-2008

87 points

"Hewitson's Old Garden Mourvedre is one of the gems of Australian wine. It's made from grapes grown on vines reputed to be the oldest mourvedre vines in the world - over 160 years old - and it's bottled as a single variety, to show its character unbridled and unfettered. In this spirit it was made with only 30 per cent new oak in its early years, though as time went on Dean Hewitson saw that the flavours were so bold and strong that they could cope with, and be enhanced by, a greater per cent of new oak. In the spectacular 2002 vintage Hewitson put the wine in 100 per cent new French oak, and it tasted divine. Ever since then 100 per cent new oak has been the norm.

And it's a beautiful norm. This wine is both unique, and top class - a beautiful marriage. The following notes are from a ten year vertical tasting held in Dean Hewitson's kitchen in Adelaide recently. I've tasted most of these wines over the years, but I have not referred back to previous notes - these are simply my impressions of the wines as of now."

Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre 2000:
"Fresh raspberries and toast. Lots of old leather, beefstock, coffee, earth and oranges. Looking really good for a wine from the 2000 vintage, though there are sour, wheaty, woolly characters on the nose which scream 'cool year'. Drink: 2008-2012."

00 Old Garden- 91 points from Parker
The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker Jnr on Oct-2002

91 points

"The 2000 Mourvèdre Old Garden is produced from... believe it or not... vines planted in 1853. An opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by scents of blue and black fruits, tree bark, saddle leather, truffles, and subtle oak. Full-bodied and concentrated as well as remarkably elegant and pure, this is one of the New World\'s finest expressions of old vine Mourvèdre. Drink it over the next 10-15 years, although I suspect it has the potential to last longer."

00 Old Garden
Winewise on Jun-2002

"Hewitson 2000 Old Garden Mourvèdre Barossa Valley: A very attractive Mourvedre, with dark cherry and plum flavours on a satisfying medium-weight palate. The tannins are very well handled, imparting a savoury feel. $36.00" Vol.18 No.2

00 Old Garden "...from four rows of ancient vines"
Wine & Spirit Magazine on Apr-2002

87 points

"Round and black with a dash of spicy black pepper, this is just a soft, impenetrable mourvèdre from four rows of ancient vines. Decant a bottle for grilled sirloin."

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