Beautiful Stranger - Best Value Grüner Veltliner in Australia!
Australian Financial Review - 21 August 2009, Life and Leisure.
Tim White's article discusses the first releases of Grüner Veltliner from local producers. This is exciting because we firmly believe that this grape variety has a great future, and we look forward to seeing what can be done with it locally. "...at the moment the best value Grüner Veltliner in Australia is an Austrian example produced by an Australian, Jonathon Hesketh. It's the Hesketh Beautiful Stranger Grüner Veltliner and it sells for about $25."
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Thirsty Dog Scores 92 Points
Wine Business Magazine - March 2009.
Tyson Stelzer made the following (quite frank) assessment of the 2006 Thirsty Dog Cabernet Sauvignon. "92 POINTS - Elegance, balance, varietal and regional distinctiveness, twenty bucks. What more do you need to know? OK, it tastes like capsicum and redcurrants with finely textured fruit tannins and an attractive, long finish."
The Protagonist 92 points.
Sydney Morning Herald - 14-15 February 2009, Good Living Guide.
Huon Hooke had the following to say about The Protagonist 92 Points — "Hesketh is a new name on wine labels but a well-known one in South Australian wine circles. It's a "virtual winery", owning neither winery nor vineyards, but it makes my kind of Barossa Valley Shiraz: balanced and soft, fleshy and rich, priced modestly and without excessive oak, alcohol or tannin. The colour is deep and rich, the nose is toasty-smoky savoury and more than just simple fruit, while the flavour has dark-chocolate and dark-plum nuances, structured with ample tannins. Good weight and concentration. Drink now to 10 years. Food. Hard cheeses such as Heidi Gruyere or Pyengana cheddar grilled red meats and roasts."
New Sparkling wine - "The Proposition"
Our new sparkling wine "The Proposition" went to bottle last month, and we previewed the wine at the annual Australia Day tastings in London.
Fresh off the line, we received great feedback from the trade and got noticed by some key journalists. Look up Jancis Robinson's web site for the wine's first review.
This wine is made using a unique and difficult process, but the result is simply delicious. All the winemaking information is in 'Wine' section if you're interested. Otherwise, simply drink The Proposition with anything, anytime - but not just anyone!
94 Points for the 2007 Beautiful Stranger
94 Points from WBM100 for the 2007 Beautiful Stranger Gruner Veltliner.
"Cool name, smart package, cracker of a wine and look at the price! I need not say any more, but I will: You must not miss this wine.
Made with the help of Bert Salomon himself, sourced from the steep, terraced Wachtberg vineyard of Kremstal in Austria, it has cracked pepper, lemon zest, green apple and great texture and structure." TS
93 Points for 2008 Scissor Hands Riesling
93 Points for Scissor Hands from the February WBM100.
"Hesketh is rolling out a string of impressive new releases at the moment. This value-for-money single vineyard Polish Hill River Riesling is made in a ripe, fleshy style which is drinking beautifully now, perfect for Thai cuisine. Its lifted lemon and lime blossom bouquet throws to a ripe peach and zesty lime palate."
92 Points for the 06 Usual Suspects
WBM100 awarded 92 Points to the 2006 Usual Suspects Shiraz this month. From Tyson Stelzer.
"This is incredible value for a nicely balanced, well made Mclaren Vale Shiraz. It has layers of black fruits and spice, liquorice, oak, finely textured tannins and good length. A touch of Viognier meshes so well you'd hardly recognise it was there."
Hesketh Portfolio Now Up To Six Wines
Three new wines have just been added to the Hesketh range, all of which represent another chapter in our winemaking journey of only producing what each growing region does best - wherever that may be - anywhere in the world.
2006 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon - Thirsty Dog.
2008 Clare Valley Riesling - Scissor Hands.
2007 Kremstal Grüner Veltliner - Beautiful Stranger.
This includes our first European wine (Beautiful Stranger), with more to follow in the next 18 months.
You can find out more about the Grüner Veltliner as well as the Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon by clicking on the "Wines" section.
"What to drink 2008": Hidden Garden Sauvignon Blanc
Toni Patterson seems to have enjoyed the Hidden Garden! "There is certainly nothing secretive about Hesketh Hidden Garden Sauvignon Blanc. It's an assertive wine that makes its presence known. It is wildly aromatic, incredibly intense, so flavoursome....I could go on and on. The palate is fruity and the flavours linger well after swallowing. Well worth seeking out."
"What to drink 2008": Usual Suspects Shiraz
Toni Patterson gives some more insight into the Usual Suspects McLaren Vale Shiraz: "This is an excellent Shiraz produced under the Hesketh label. It is a lovely melange of savoury and meaty flavours and ripe, fleshy fruits. It is a good solid drink that would pair well with washed rind cheese."
2007 Sauvignon Blanc arrives in a fresh new bottle!
The new vintage of the Hidden Garden is about to be released - in a new bottle.
The wine is a great follow up to the stunning 2006 release, but comes in a new fresher looking package.
Trish must take all the credit for the change, pointing out that Sauvignon Blanc needs clean and fresh looking glass - to best reflect what the wine is like.
We're particularly happy with the wine, which shows all the hallmarks of high quality Marlborough fruit. It displays the full spectrum of varietal aromatics and a finely structured palate which has balance, complexity and a long, persistent finish. Perfect summer drinking.
91 Points for The Protagonist
WBM100 is a monthly review of the best wines in Australia. It comes from the publishers of the Wine Business Monthly who had the following to say about The Protagonist. "For a no-holds-barred Barossa Shiraz experience, Hesketh is a great wine to entertain the masses.
It's spicy black plum fruit and firm oak is backed up by a nice lick of warm alcohol, balanced with fine tannins and finishing with good persistence. 91 Points.
Matthew Jukes & Tyson Stelzer give The Protagonist big raps
TASTE FOOD & WINE – The best wines of 2008 - This is Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer's latest wine guide which has just hit the shelves.
Matthew Jukes is probably the UK’s most popular wine writer, and Tyson Stelzer continues to be the champion of the screw cap cause. The combination of these two guys makes for not only the most entertaining guide on the shelves, but also one of the most credible.
“Hesketh - The Protagonist Barossa Valley Shiraz, 2005 - $25
The Protagonist shows every sign of being a future classic in the making. Is this big, ripe wine just the thing that will clean up at the next big blind tasting? We saw it first, we reckon it is, and we don’t want you to miss out. Make sure you have a few pals (read: the local footy team) to help you polish off a bottle though, cos’ it’s a bit of a bruiser.”
David Sly reviews the Usual Suspects in SA Life
"Adelaide wine Negociant Jonathon Hesketh launches his own brand with this McLaren Vale shiraz co-fermented with seven percent viognier from Mr Barker in the Adelaide Hills. The expected fruit driven power of vivid McLaren Vale shiraz is given big, sexy hips in the middle palate thanks to luscious viognier (which also gives the berry rich bouquet a significant lift), though the long, acid driven finish is more tannic than most blends of this type. Screw Cap. $25."
Best Buys Below $30 - Gourmet Traveller Wine
Best Buys Under $30.00 - Gourmet Traveller Wine.
Max Allen is one of Australia's most respected wine journalists. He's worked very hard to promote wine education, including some excellent blogs which you can download from itunes, and his book "Red & White" is a fantastic read for anyone getting interested in wine.
"After stints at Wirra Wirra in McLaren Vale and heading up a wine distribution company in New Zealand, Jonathon Hesketh has established his own label, sourcing wines from regions far and wide.
No surprise, then, to find the first releases are the better-than-average 2006 Hidden Garden Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and this delicious shiraz (with a splash of Adelaide Hills viognier thrown in for good measure). It’s refreshingly medium-bodied, with gently aromatic spicy black fruit and fine, silky, almost creamy tannins. MA"
Men's Style for the Usual Suspects
Nick Ryan - there must be ten Nicks judging by how many articles that are attributed to him.
He was kind enough include the Usual Suspects in his list of winter reds - which gave us an excuse to buy this glossy mag.
"Jonathon Hesketh has taken a lateral approach and searched for the definitive styles from the best regions, wherever and whatever they may be. This opulent curvy, sensually perfumed McLaren Vale is a very good start."
SPLURGE - Sun Herald
Winsor Dobbin suggested you 'Splurge' by treating yoursef to a bottle of the Usual Suspects. He had the following to say.
"McLaren Vale shirazes can be big, alcoholic, aggressive beasts, but this one (with a dash of viognier added) has rather more restraint than most and is all the better for it. It's only 13.5 per cent alcohol and has smoothness and complexity on it's side while at the same time being beautifully balanced and easy to drink. A versatile food wine."
Ken Gargett comments on the Hidden Garden
Courier Mail, Brisbane
Ken Gargett - lover of Bruce Springsteen and one of Australia's most experienced wine journalists. His thoughts on the Hidden Garden follow.
"For anyone who has been living in a deep cave in Bhutan for the past two decades Kiwi sauv blanc from Marlborough has set the wine world alight. Hesketh's Hidden Garden ($25) has a local link, with Jonathon Hesketh, an Aussie making wine from Kiwi grapes. The label is by favourite Brisbane artist Melissa Egan. It blew the others away, proving why lovers of savvy flock here. With pungent gooseberry and herbal notes, it is intense in the extreme with good acidity."
93 Points for the Hidden Garden.
The Independent Weekly, June 16-22
Philip White - what is it with wine scribes with that surname? It's like a guarantee of good food, wine and spirited conversation.
"This is bigger, more thought-out sauvignon than your average Kiwi, and certainly a lot more chop than your average Adelaide Hillsby. Rather than simple grass and acid, it offers layers of complex tropical fruits, with cantalope, banana, custard apple, and jackfruit predominant. There's a cheeky top note of phosphate and burlap, and a neat turn of Chinese gooseberry acid in the finish, but it's really a grand, healthy, viscous beauty. All that plush yellow flesh!" 93 points.
Top 100 Winter Wines
Peter Forrestal only picked three Sauvignon Blancs available for sale in Australia for the Sunday Times' Top 100 winter wines. "17.5 points- One of the better Kiwi SB's balancing tropical fruits and some minerally notes thanks to good intensity and a crisp finish."
McGrath Foundation and Hesketh Wines Link Up!
The Hesketh Wine Company is delighted to become a Corporate Friend of the McGrath Foundation, with a percentage of all sales from ‘The Proposition’ sparkling pink and ‘Hidden Garden’ Sauvignon Blanc assisting with the support of women with breast cancer and their families. The McGrath Foundation aims to raise money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses across rural and regional Australia, as well as increasing breast awareness in younger women - a cause close to hearts of both Trish and Jonathon Hesketh.
“Every Australian is touched in some way by breast cancer,” says Trish “If not first hand, it is through a family member or a friend. We’re no different, and we see this as a way we can do something to help.” When contemplating ways to do something to provide support, Trish saw the sparkling pink of ‘The Proposition’ as natural fit with the McGrath Foundation.
“We see this as a practical way we can support this important cause.” An uncapped amount of $3.60 from the sale of every case of The Proposition and Hidden Garden will go to the McGrath Foundation, and the wines will be served at major McGrath Foundation events including the Ladies High Teas throughout Australia during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and how you can help make a difference, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au.
93 points for the Usual Suspects
The Australian Financial Review - April 5-9. Tim White is (amongst other things) very good dinner company. He has also spilt more wine than we've ever imbibed - these are two good reasons (of many) why you should read his material and pay attention to what he has to say.
"A bit pongy to begin but blows off quickly to reveal plenty of cassis and spice and some black pepper, which is unusual for McLaren Vale shiraz. Some peach kernel too. Attacks with cassis and plums, and some more candied peach-like stuff. Perfectly balanced dry tannins balance the sweet fruit and there's subtle oak toastiness too. A damn tasty shiraz. 93/100."