2023 Thomas Wines Sweetwater Ridge Shiraz

Andrew Thomas has built his reputation on capturing the nuance of Hunter sites, and Sweetwater Ridge is a perfect example. Planted in 1998 to the classic 1654 Shiraz clone, this block sits on red-brown loam over limestone at the very end of Sweetwater Road in Belford - ground that gives Shiraz its tell-tale violet lift and fine, detailed spice.

Hand-picked early in the 2023 harvest, the fruit was fermented as whole berries for brightness and perfume, then matured for 13 months in a mix of French hogsheads, only the best barrels making the final cut.

The wine is a charmer: floral aromatics spill from the glass, violets and potpourri layered over raspberry, mulberry, and black plum. There’s a core of dark fruit generosity, dusted with pepper and five spice, but what really sets it apart is the line – sleek, floral, and mineral-tinged thanks to its limestone roots. Silky tannins hold everything neatly in place.

Always a favourite among Thomas loyalists, this single-site Hunter Shiraz that punches well above its weight.

"If you love shiraz, you will adore this wine. Absolutely extraordinary value."
- Toni Paterson MW (Halliday Wine Companion)