Winemaker Notes
Australia’s Koala population has been decimated by the devastating bushfires that have made worldwide news. Much of Australia’s east coast has been affected by these fires, this same area is where the majority of the Koala population lives. The Australian Koala Foundation works tirelessly to protect these precious animals and their habitat. For every bottle of their Hunter Valley Chardonnay & Shiraz or their 90 point rated "The Ripper" Shiraz sold, Hope Estate will donate $1 to the Australian Koala Foundation.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Matured in a mix of French and American oak, Hope Estate's 2015 The Ripper Shiraz features plenty of cedar, nutmeg and mocha characters. Fortunately, it backs those up with juicy, mouthwatering blackberries and mulberries. It's medium to full-bodied, with supple tannins that turn silky and crisp on the finish.
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Wine & Spirits
Michael Hope added this vineyard in Donnybrook, south of Perth, to his stable of vineyards on the opposite side of the continent in the Hunter Valley. This wine’s cool dark fruit—from blackberry liqueur to currants and plum skin—reminded one taster of swimming in quarry-cold water. While the fruit is simple, there’s a lot going on structurally underneath, with tarry tannins and pointed acidity. An intriguing take on shiraz from Western Australia.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Quite remote and unequalled in beauty, the wine regions of Westerm Australia promise endless physical and climatic diversity. From the coolest, seaside vineyards to the hottest inland zones, Western Australia is the source of some of the country’s most sought after wines.