Hewitson The Mad Hatter Shiraz 2023 by Hewitson from the Barossa Valley is a rich yet remarkably elegant single‑vineyard Shiraz that captures classic Barossa flavour generosity with a serious sense of polish and finesse. Dark maroon to medium‑deep crimson in the glass, it shows dialled‑up aromatics of plum, black cherry, blackberry and mulberry, layered with roasted walnut, spice, pepper and a hint of smoked meats and soy.

On the palate, bright red and black fruits glide effortlessly from start to finish – cassis, black cherry, chinotto and dark berries – supported by chocolate, mocha, aniseed and fine, chalky, beautifully integrated tannins. The finish is long, multi‑dimensional and savoury, making Hewitson The Mad Hatter Shiraz 2023 one of the more elegant expressions of Barossa you’ll see, with old‑world balance tied to new‑world fruit purity.

This Mad Hatter 2023 is tailor‑made for slow‑roasted beef brisket, grilled rib‑eye, lamb shoulder or rich, herby barbecue plates, and it has the structure to cellar happily for 15–20 years if you enjoy deeper leather, liquorice and cedar complexity down the track.