The 2017 Vintage experienced weather patterns which many say  lend themselves to the year being one of the best in living memory, bearing in mind of course the 2011 and the ‘grand’ vintage of  2014. During the ’17 vintage, the mercury climbed to 46.8 degrees on 11 February, being shortly prior to harvest. That heat, aided by short and intermittent rain events, caused a more ‘riper’ fruit and subsequently a Shiraz that is deeper in colour and body than the Hunter norm. Whilst the region is renowned for producing ‘medium body’ red wines, the Edward is a “bigger” style. It is a darker ruby red in the glass, and has a plum and light oak nose. It is elegant on the palate with mulberries, black current, blueberry and other intense black and red fruit which are supported by firm tannins. The wine is elegant and very complex, it may be drunk now or laid down for at least 5-10 years.

In loving memory of a collector and ambassador of Hunter Valley wines, Edward Dempster Frame