James Halliday Wine Companion 2019 Edition
Posted 07 August 2018
2016 Hedonist Shiraz
94 points - Wine Companion 2019 Edition, James Halliday, 01 Aug 2018
"Destemmed, wild yeast open-fermented, 14 days on skins, fermentation completed in and 12 months maturation in new French oak, then a further 12 months maturation in used French oak. Deeply coloured; sophisticated winemaking has resulted in a full-bodied shiraz that will be very long lived, feeding on its balance and length, firm tannins that are nonetheless ripe one specific of its many building blocks. Gold medal International Shiraz Challenge '18 no surprise. Great value."
2016 Hedonist Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points - Wine Companion 2019 Edition, James Halliday, 01 Aug 2018
"Harvested in two batches on 29 Feb and 5 Mar, fermented separately for 8 and 27 days respectively, matured in French oak (15% new) for 18 months. Interesting wine. The length of fermentation and the gap between pickings have produced a medium-bodied, savoury wine with just a hint of minty/wintergreen, outweighed by the freshness and cassis flavours of the long palate - all in all, cool climate references."
HOT 100
Posted 17 May 2018
We delighted our 2015 Reserve Shiraz has been included in the Adelaide Review's Hot 100.
A brilliant show championing drinkability. Here's a few words on the wine from the judges:
Winner Winner
Posted 05 December 2017
Hedonist took another Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge last week in the UK with our 2016 Shiraz. That’s back-to-back gold medals for our Shiraz at this show!
Australian Wine Companion 2018 Edition
Posted 15 August 2017
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2018 Edition, 01 Aug 2017
91 points - 2016 Hedonist Sangiovese Rose
Hand-picked in the early morning, crushed, 3 hours on skins before gentle pressing, cool-fermented in stainless steel. Very pale pink; the ever-moving bouquet throws up rose petals, apricot kernels (the Clappis descriptive touchstone for the bouquet and palate) and citrus-tinged acidity on the fresh, ultra-light and dry finish.
94 points - 2015 Hedonist Tempranillo
Includes 4% grenache, open-fermented, pumped over twice daily, 10-day ferment, pressed to used French hogsheads for 10 months maturation. Although the vines are young (7yo), this suggests the site has great potential. There is truly lovely cherry fruit on the fresh light to medium-bodied palate thanks in part to the controlled alcohol; the finish has gently savoury tannins that tie the parcel up ever so neatly.
91 points - 2015 Hedonist Sangiovese
Crushed and destemmed, twice daily pumpovers for 8 days, then one daily for the next 6 weeks, 70% matured in used French hogsheads, 30% in tank, for 7 months. Neatly handled.
91 points - 2015 Hedonist Shiraz
From the estate bio-certified vineyard at Willunga, picked over 3 weeks commencing 19 Feb, open-fermented, thence to 20% new French and used French and American hogsheads for 12 months. Rich, full-bodied and full-flavoured.
2015 Hedonist Shiraz
Posted 29 June 2017
92 points - The Wine Front, Gary Walsh, 19 June 2017
"Not too familiar with this producer, but good wine in the glass. Juicy raspberry, cherry, spice and vanilla perfume. Medium bodied, again fresh and juicy, almost playful, but not without depth. Tannin is ripe and lightly chewy, acidity fresh and unobtrusive, and there’s a savoury spiced sausage thing going on as the wine closes. Great drink. So nicely turned out."
International Wine Show Accolades
Posted 01 June 2017
2015 Hedonist Shiraz
- Gold Medal - 2017 International Wine Competition
- Silver Medal - 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards - 90 points
- 92 points - Decanter Magazine (June 2017) - Alex Hunt MV, Roger Jones & Anthony Rose
2014 Hedonist Cabernet
- Bronze Medal - Decanter International Wine Show
Gold Medal
Posted 02 August 2016
The Hedonist 2012 Reserve Shiraz takes Gold at the 2016 Melbourne International Wine Competition
2016 Vintage Report
Posted 30 May 2016
McLaren Vale experienced a slightly dryer than average winter and spring in 2015. A mild November ensured the vines set well, ultimately producing some of the biggest crops in recent times. December was hot and dry. We were grateful to receive significant rain in late January/early February, as it relieved the strain on the vines.
The grapes didn’t need to reach overly ripe sugar levels for them to have good fruit characters - they are lively, bright, and elegant. The mild weather during the final ripening period provided ideal conditions for full flavour development, while retaining natural acidity.
The vines were well balanced with great colour and flavour. Our wines from the 2016 vintage exhibit a purity of fruit flavours with lovely perfume and finesse.
Kimberly Cooter - Winemaker
Hedonist takes Gold at The 2015 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge
Posted 29 October 2015
Hedonist Shiraz takes on Penfolds Grange
Posted 19 October 2015
...and the results are very intesersting!
Click here for the full story
2015 Vintage Report
Posted 20 August 2015
2015 was one of our earliest starts to vintage ever. After a wet winter and dry spring things started moving quickly in McLaren Vale.
Calm and smooth ripening prevailed after the fortunate relenting heat in January. The end of January brought with it rain, which helped to balance out the berry development and thus retaining the natural acidity. Luckily, disease pressure was low to nonexistent due to cool evenings and the strong sea breeze.
The early and quick nature of the season made it logistically challenging to manage the intake of all of the fruit, which ripened at the same time. Quality however was paramount – the Shiraz is a real standout variety from this vintage, exhibiting an abundance of vibrant red fruits and spice, with exceptional colour, richness and balance.
Kimberly Cooter - Winemaker
Australian Wine Companion 2016 Edition
Posted 03 August 2015
2013 Hedonist Shiraz - 94 points
2012 Hedonist Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 points
The Wine Front
Posted 20 March 2015
The Hedonist Shiraz 2013
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, Posted on 19 March 2015, http://www.winefront.com.au/
Made by Walter Clappis but it seems to be a brand unto itself. Grown biodynamically, matured in both French and American oak, and bottled unfiltered.
Weight, flavour, freshness, length. It’s McLaren Vale to a tee, almost old school, but it’s so well done. Blackberry, chocolate, red cherry and coffee. Balanced and smooth. For many red drinkers this will be just what the doctor ordered.
Rated : 93 Points
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $25
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2015 - 2023
2012 The Hedonist Shiraz, McLaren Vale
Posted 05 June 2014
Big, rich, dark, sappy and filling, this is a classic McLaren Vale Shiraz. It has stunning American and French oak seasoning, which adds incredible aromatics to the lusty chassis.
Matthew Jukes, The Daily Mail Weekend Magazine, 31st May 2013.
The Advertiser, Taste, Tony Love - 28th May, 2014
Posted 28 May 2014
Making a Case for Tempranillo
Taste - Sangiovese Review
Posted 09 May 2014
The Advertiser, Taste, Tony Love - 30th April, 2014
Wine Advocate Review
Posted 13 March 2014
2012 The Hedonist Shiraz
Review by Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Rating: 90+
"Deep garnet-purple in color the 2012 Shiraz is intensely scented of mocha, black plum preserves and blackberry tart with suggestions of licorice and bacon fat. Medium to full-bodied with mouth-filling black fruit and mocha flavors, it has a great backbone of firm, grainy tannins and lively acid before finishing long. Drink it now to 2019+."
Wine Advocate, Issue 211, Feb 2014
5-star Rating
Posted 26 July 2013
Australian Wine Companion 2014 Edition - James Halliday
Hedonist Wines has again been awarded 5-stars in James Halliday's 2014 Australian Wine Companion
- 2010 Hedonist Shiraz - 94 points
- 2010 Hedonist Reserve Shiraz - 94 points (Pre-release)
- 2012 Hedonist Sangiovese Rosé - 90 points
2013 Vintage Report
Posted 09 July 2013
Fruit for The Hedonist is grown biodynamically on our estate grown vineyard situated in the Willunga foothills, McLaren Vale. Warm summer days are cooled by evening sea breezes from St Vincent’s Gulf, which lies a close proximity to the West. The soil is rich loam over clay with patches of underlying limestone, giving our wines a rich and fullness of pallet.
McLaren Vale experienced its average winter rain. Early summer was relatively mild with generally cooler nights. These conditions were ideal for good natural acidity across the board. Late summer brought with it higher temperatures, which in turn pushed the vintage slightly forward, culminating in a more condensed vintage.
2013 compares very well with 2012 in McLaren Vale. Our reds from both vintages are full and well structured. Quality in general is considered very good to excellent. While it is difficult to pick a standout variety from the season, we are particularly pleased with the Shiraz and are very excited with our, coming of age, ‘small batch’ Tempranillo.
All of our reds have completed secondary (malolactic) fermentation and have been racked and put to bed in French and American barrels.
The Hedonist 2013 ‘small batch’ Sangiovese Rosé has been bottled and is about to be released. It is looking very smart, with wonderful acidity and length, and exhibits a delightful apricot kernel and strawberry aromas.
There will be some exciting wines to come out of the 2013 vintage.
Kimberly Cooter (neé Clappis) - Winemaker
2010 Hedonist Shiraz makes Jancis Robinson's Top 100 Reds
Posted 10 December 2012
Jancis Robinson, 8 December 2012, http://www.jancisrobinson.com
2010 Hedonist Shiraz makes Jancis Robinson's Top 100 Reds (2012), selected from over 10,000 wines world wide.
"Polished, fun, pure. Classic glossy Shiraz from South Australia's McLaren Vale. Spicy and not too potent. Dry finish. Biodynamically grown; attractively labelled. What's not to like?"
Jancis Robinson
For full article click the link: http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/a201212071.html