McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Shiraz (Organic) 2018 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia

Bronze Medal - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
90/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review (2017 vintage)
92/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
90/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
16/20 Jancis Robinson (2010 vintage)
Bronze - Tom Cannavan (2008 vintage)
Bronze - Jamie Goode (2004 vintage)

5 Stars - McHenry Hohen Vintners
5 Star Winery - James Halliday
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2009 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2008 vintage)
Commended - International Wine Challenge (2007 vintage)

"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"

Huon Hooke "Deep red colour with tints of black and purple. The aromas remind of raspberry jam and 'forest floor', herbal and earth notes, the palate medium-bodied at most, with a soft and savoury texture and light, powdery tannins. The finish drops away rather quickly. It fades a bit but the wine is very approachable young."

Stuart Knox "Medium and bright ruby-red colour. Raspberries, broken slate and black peppercorns on the nose. A light to medium-bodied shiraz. It glides lightly across the tongue with red fruits and slate-like minerality. Acidity gives lift and brightness, and a fine tannic structure adds length. Very much a 'syrah." (2017 vintage)

James Halliday "There's a welter of dark fruits in this wine, and an equally handsome amount of tannins and oak. Wild, sweet blackberry flavours run through to the finish." (2016 vintage)

Tasting Notes "A seductive bouquet of fresh blueberries with strawberries and cream confection give way to cherry cola and fragrant white pepper notes. A soft and juicy palate abounds with ripe blueberries, Satsuma plums and red berry sweets. Whilst underlying milk chocolate, fresh vanilla pods and sweetened spices make for a memorable marriage of flavours. A velvety structure with lingering flavours makes this wine a crowd pleaser in any situation!"

Winemaker Notes"The fruit for this wine comes from Hazel’s Vineyard which is our southernmost vineyard. Whole berries were transferred by gravity into 5 tonne concrete fermenters. 30% of the fruit was hand harvested for whole bunch fermentation and additional spice and aromatic lift. Wild fermentation underwent at low temperatures and gentle extraction was carried out by pumping over twice daily. After 8 to 14 days on skins the juice was pressed and transferred to large format oak casks for 14 months maturation."

Founded by one of the pioneers of the Margaret River winemaking region, David Hohnen, and his brother in law, Murray McHenry, an accomplished fine wine retailer. Both have been making wine in Margaret River since the early 1970’s. McHenry Hohnen vineyards are 100% biodynamic. Their three unique vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel’s) produce wines that are a reflection of the land. McHenry Hohnen focus on crafting site expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.

"McHenry Hohnen is tucked away off Bussell Highway to the south of Margaret River. The wines have bound from strength, a comment never truer than under the stewardship of winemaker Jacopo (Japo). Under his leadership, the wines have been catapulted into a new realm of quality. The chardonnays particularly exemplify that hard-to-achieve balance of pleasurable on release, and capable of graceful ageing. The move towards organics and sustainable farming has had a positive impact on the quality of the wines, and it is a delight to witness so much diversity in the vineyards - from experimental clones and new plantings, to sheep, chickens, olives and vegetables. McHenry Hohnen is an estate on the move - divert your eyes at your peril - EL."

Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces high quality Semillon-Sauvignon blends and Shiraz.

Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.

Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.

Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.