NOTES

The idea behind Hewitson The Mad Hatter Shiraz was born in 1988. Dean Hewitson was shut away in a tasting room with Len Evans, evaluating what Evans considered to be the best eight red wines in Australia at the time. As they looked at the different wines, Dean focused on descriptors, while Evans spoke of broader concepts like breeding, structure, power and the background story that gave these wines real context. This changed the way Dean thought about wine and is at the heart of everything Hewitson does today.

The single vineyard between Seaview Ridge and Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale, cropping at a bit over 2 tonnes an acre has consistently delivered what we felt to be the true expression of McLaren Vale Shiraz. In 2002 it was exceptional, so the decision was made to refine and refocus what we did with it and The Mad Hatter was born.

TASTING NOTES

The 2005 The Mad Hatter is a rich and intense wine with a deep, inky, purple colour. Hedonistic aromas of licorice, creme de cassis, blackberries, flowers, minerals and spice strike the nose. These aromas are followed by an even more powerful, concentrated mid-palate with superb flavours of chocolate, blackberry and mocha coupled with fine ripe tannins. The finish is long and multi-dimensional. This complex Shiraz is approachable now or will cellar for 10+ years.

As a single vineyard wine we only produce a limited quantity of The Mad Hatter every year. Allocated worldwide, the exclusive release of our new vintage 2005 The Mad Hatter is available for a short time only.

OTHER REVIEWS

2005 The Mad Hatter in James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition McLaren Vale at its best; masses of blackberry, spice and dark chocolate in a cocoon of fine but persistent tannins and quality French oak. Excellent length. Opulent but not corpulent 95 Points

2005 The Mad Hatter in Jeremy Oliver's 2008 Edition
Jeremy Oliver, The Australian Wine Annual

"A very good shiraz from this unpleasantly hot vintage. Its deep, nearly baked aromas of blackberries and dark plums overlie slightly meaty, currant like nuances, while there's just a hint of varnish. Sumptuous and juicy, its spicy, full-bodied palate is supported by fine, chalky tannin and packed with searingly intense and almost gamey cassis, raspberry and cherry-like fruit. It finishes with length and freshness, retaining pleasing fruit sweetness."92 points

2005 The Mad Hatter- 5 stars
Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Age Epicure on 16-Oct-2007

"This is the essence of regional McLaren Vale shiraz without the warts of yesteryear's wines and retaining tonnes of character. It is deeply coloured and the aromas of spice, violets, black fruits, seasoned oak and mocha are persuasive. It tastes rich and complete with smooth, fine texture and integrated tannins." Ageing? Good now, but ideally needs two to ten years.

Food ideas: Steak and kidney pie; lamb shanks.5 stars

2005 The Mad Hatter- 92 points in The Wine Advocate
The Wine Advocate, Jay Miller on Oct-2007 Issue# 173

"The 2005 Shiraz "The Mad Hatter" is opaque purple in color with glass-coating glycerin. It offers aromas of cedar, smoke, scorched earth, tar, espresso, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with gobs of fruit, a plush texture, layers of flavour, ripe tannins, and a lengthy finish. Give it 5-7 years in the bottle and drink it through 2030.92 points

2005 The Mad Hatter- "This is something special"
Ray Jordan, The West Australian on 13-Mar-2008

"This is something special. An exciting expression of McLaren Vale that brings a new degree of subtlety and refinement. Seductive and complex aromas of spice and blueberry with a slight aromatic lift. Palate is soft and supple but with great structure and power. Fine, ripe tannins and great length, a super wine. Check out the independents for this one. 95/100" 95 points

2005 The Mad Hatter "veneer of sexy oak spice"
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar on Oct-2007

"Inky purple. Explosively perfumed aromas of fresh blackberry and mulberry with a veneer of sexy oak spice. Velvety dark berry flavors show excellent depth and precision, but no rough edges or earthy or gamey nuances. Sweet, pliant and impressively persistent, with a strong dark berry liqueur quality clinging tenaciously." 92 points Josh Reynolds

2005 The Mad Hatter "All class"
www.winorama.com.au on 08-Jul-2007

"'Mad as a Hatter' came about because the mercurous nitrate used in curing felt made them go a bit nutty. I wonder why the wearing of hats went out of fashion?

Aromas of cassis, blackberry, mocha, Indonesian spices and licorice. Quite perfumed and lively. On the palate full bodied with flavours of blackcurrant, crushed berries, spice, vanilla and chocolate. A bit minerally too. Really vibrant fresh fruit here backed with tasteful French oak. Excellent shape and texture with lovely fine tannins. It's a big wine but has finesse and style. Very fresh long spicy finish. All class. "93 points Gary Walsh

2005 The Mad Hatter "a powerful backbone hidden under lashings of rich fruit"
Christopher Hayes, www.eatanddrink.com.au on Jun-2007

"The Mad Hatter has been Hewitson's leading shiraz since the 2002 vintage when the 45 year old vines block on the corner of Long Gully and Seaview Roads produced such outstanding fruit of individual character that it was destined for its own label. The 2004 delivered on that promise and the 2005 appears to be just as good. Inky dark red/purple with aromas of plums, liquorice and dark chocolate, the palate is firmly, but finely, structured with a powerful backbone hidden under lashings of rich fruit. McLaren Vale Shiraz can be sweet and clumsy but this shows what old vines, restricted cropping and custodial winemaking can deliver."