2019 Old Paddock & Old Hill Hunter Valley Shiraz, Mount Pleasant

• Style: Structured Hunter Valley Shiraz
• Taste: Blackberry, plum, black pepper; firm tannin, balanced acidity
• Food: Grilled beef, braised dishes, aged hard cheeses
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, cellar-worthy
• Serve: 14% ABV, now or age gracefully for years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Dark cherry, blackberry and plum fill the glass, underpinned by a distinctive black pepper spice that lifts beyond simple ripeness. The tannin structure is firm without aggression—the signature of fully ripened fruit in temperate conditions. At 14% ABV, acidity and structure remain in perfect balance, a wine to enjoy now but one that will evolve gracefully for years to come.

The Winery — Mount Pleasant

Founded in 1921 by Maurice O'Shea, the visionary credited with establishing the template for modern Australian table wine, Mount Pleasant has remained faithful to a legacy of balance and ageing potential across nearly a century. Under Adrian Sparks's stewardship since 2018, the estate draws from historic vineyard parcels: Old Hill and Old Paddock sit at the intersection of two adjacent volcanic hillsides in Pokolbin, where morning sun and afternoon shelter create conditions for concentrated, balanced fruit. Hand-picked and destemmed into open fermenters, the 2019 vintage was cold-soaked for three days before fermentation, then aged for a year in a combination of large and small French oak vessels (25% new). That restraint in oak handling is deliberate—it allows the vineyard's character and the grape's natural personality to shine through.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve alongside grilled beef, braised dishes with depth, roast dinners, game and venison, or aged hard cheeses that can stand up to its tannin. This wine represents one of the finest expressions of Syrah & Shiraz available, a perfect choice for Sunday lunch gatherings or intimate date nights where you want a wine of real substance and structure. It is vegan and vegetarian friendly. Explore the rest of our Australia wines to discover how varied and compelling this country's winemaking has become, or browse our full Hunter Valley selection.