Hughes & Hughes Dornfelder 2020

Variety:  Dornfelder
Country, Region: Australia, Tasmania

From a single vineyard in the north west (White Rock). Predominantly whole berry, 5% whole bunch, natural yeast, held on skins for 18 days. Pressed to and matured in oak (5% new). Bottled unfined and unfiltered. The most intense, deep colour you’ll find. Great aromatics of rich blackberries and anise. Dusty mouth-filling tannins, precise acidity. Its light on its feet for a big man.

review for 2019 vintage ‘Tasmanian dornfelder. Say what?! Here you go. From Lake Barrington. Delicious! Ballistically so. Sluice of sweet cherry, red vermouth-like characters, minty notes and floral things. Has amazingly fresh and frisky acidity, some slick and pull to tannins, juiciness then a squeaky finish with loads of spice and a touch of smoky-slatey minerality. So much deliciousness. Moreish, amazing thing.’ 94 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, February 2020.

'The Hughes & Hughes range is one of the great examples of producers diversifying in the landscape of fine pinot noir and chardonnay (and sparkling wines) that Tasmania holds aloft. I like the cut of their jib.' Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, June 2019

All wines from Hughes & Hughes are from fruit purchased (mostly from southern Tasmania) and made by Jonny Hughes at his 'day job' at Pooley wines. Work has begun on the Mewstone cellar construction so soon the wines will be made at the Mewstone vineyard at Flowerpot. Varietal wines are made using seeded ferments and are fined and filtered whereas small batch wines are made with natural yeast ferments and are largely un-fined and unfiltered as is the practice for all Mewstone wines. These wines all show the lightness of touch and elegance and finesse that runs from the white wines into the Pinot Noirs as well. Never lacking for flavour or personality all wines show pristine fruit and share a unique vibrancy that comes from minimal intervention wine-making.