2019 Rosehill Shiraz, Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant, based in the Hunter Valley, was established in 1921 by the legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea, from 16.3 hectares of adjoining parcels of land, which he named Mount Pleasant.

An elegant and refined Shiraz, with an abundance of raspberry and cranberry fruit layered with perfumed notes of violet, spice and plum. The red fruits drive through the palate with intensity and focus supported by subtle oak.

The Shiraz vines were planted in 1946 in a single vineyard plot named ‘Rosehill’. These low-yielding, old vines have deep and complex root systems. Maurice O’Shea purchased the land during World War II and the site is now regarded as one of the elite vineyards of the Hunter Valley. Once the site of volcanic activity, the Rosehill Vineyard is located at one of the Hunter Valley’s highest elevations. This 22-hectare parcel of volcanic loam soil, with patches of limestone and eroded basalt, is fertile and ideal for producing full-flavoured red grapes. O’Shea devoted it to solely planting Shiraz. The vineyard is cultivated using sustainable techniques, such as employing mulch to nourish the vines and growing cover crops to increase the biodiversity in the soil.