James Halliday Dark Horse
Posted 09 August 2019
James Halliday Wine Companion 2020 Edition
The 2020 Wine Companion results are in and we’re pretty thrilled we've been awarded a 5-STAR winery AND named in the top '10 Dark Horses'!
2018 Hedonist Sangiovese Rosé
- 95 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019
“Pale-pastel pink with a copper tinge; sangiovese gives this its fine acid line plus flavour. It's lightly aromatic, some red berries and spice, watermelon and rind, creamy nuances but it's the savouriness that seals the deal. And it's gluggability.”
2018 Hedonist Tempranillo
- 95 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019
“A terrific tempranillo that offsets its juicy red fruit profile against layers of savouriness. It's vibrant with cherry cola, fresh tobacco, red licorice and all manner of baking spices before crunchy acidity and killer tannins take off. Impressive from go to whoa.”
2017 Hedonist Shiraz
- 95 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019
“Estate certified organic/biodynamic fruit kick-starts this excellent shiraz that's fresh, buoyant and drinkable by the bucket-load. Restraint says by the glass and as this is a restrained McLaren Vale red, fair enough. Savour the poppy, red plums and pomegranate, threads of spice, the appealing grainy tannins and more besides.”
2017 Hedonist Sangiovese
- 93 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019
“So good to come across a savoury sangiovese made without new oak. Starts with cherry, spice and roasted tomatoes doused in dried herbs; the acidity thrusting through and tannins finding their groove. Perhaps too lean on the palate but an austere style is preferable to tutti-frutti.”
2017 Hedonist Reserve Shiraz
- 93 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019
“Everything that screams McLaren Vale shiraz is in this wine. And it's done well. Rich, ripe fruit, lively and bright, laced with rosemary and mint (bordering on too much), smoky, tarry and earthy notes and all manner of oak spices. Plus wood flavours which should settle in time. Voluminous tannins strut their stuff across the full-bodied palate. The colour advancement and the herbal tone, just pings it.”
2017 Hedonist Cabernet Sauvignon
- 92 points - Wine Companion 2020 Edition, Jane Faulkner, 01 Aug 2019
“Cassis and blackberries vie for centre stage, it's a brightly fruited wine seasoned with dried herbs, oak spices and plenty of appeal.”