Hewitson 2015 Baby Bush Mourvèdre ($29.99) with Chicken Basquaise & Rice Pilaf
Established in 1998, Hewitson is situated in the heart of the sunny Barossa Valley and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Among their acreage is the "Old Garden", a vineyard of Mourvèdre planted in 1853 by Friedrich Koch. It is the world's oldest-known surviving planting of this vine. Realising its potential and wanting to preserve the lineage, Dean Hewitson took cuttings of these elderly vines, and replanted them, nicknaming this site the "Baby Bush" vineyard. These vines take the pedigree of the world’s oldest Mourvèdre vineyard, yet have the vibrancy and bold confidence of youth. This grape, often used in Cotes du Rhone-style blends, is seldom the ‘star of the show’, particularly in France, but the Aussies love to showcase it all on its own. Dark blackberry and blueberry fruit is met with soft, ripe tannins, and a hint of underbrush.