Community Tasting Note

• Wozza Likes this wine: 95 points

  September 3, 2019 - The 2014 OP&OH was the cellar door darling that had many a visitor delving for the credit card. This 2018 doesn't have the same immediate charm. But there's good potential written all over this iconic Hunter Shiraz. On release, there's a firmness to its delivery. It's less approachable than 2014, and less floral than some of its 2018 siblings. The fruit - proud, bright, mostly black on the nose. Blackberry and black cherry really shone. Fresh picked mushroom and vanilla laced cedar oak also adding some savoury interest. The palate is tight, with a sturdy red currant laced drive of crisp acidity that hints at its longevity. There's more red fruits on the finish, especially red cherry, some soft vanilla tones from the integrating oak that will round out with bottle age; and some textbook wet stone that's quite typical of an OP&OH. Rating this purely on where I see it from 2022 onwards, I'm giving this a Wozza 95. Drink to 2034(+). $50 cellar door.

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8 Comments

• Bsmith457 commented:

  9/4/19, 2:23 PM - I was actually quite taken with the 17 OPOH as well. I am hoping the 18 will be up to the same standard. Still have the 14 sitting in my cellar, haven’t tasted one yet,.

• Wozza commented:

  9/4/19, 3:42 PM - Look forward to seeing your thoughts on the 18 when you try your first one. Across the range they are different to previous recent vintages. Less approachable on release, but with lots of potential. The 14s were incredible on release, but have dipped for me with a bit of bottle age.

• Bsmith457 commented:

  9/4/19, 9:05 PM - Did you have a chance to taste the Mountain C while you were there. There have been a couple of good reviews on the 18 vintage for this.

• Wozza commented:

  9/4/19, 9:18 PM - Yes I did. It was in my top 5 and best of the Mountain range. I've still got quite a few notes to write up over the coming weeks. Suffice to say I likened the 2018 Mountain C to a top quality Italian red (think BdM / Barolo, etc.). But it's my style of wine (and Gary Walsh's too), so others may prefer the other two.

• Screwcaps commented:

  9/30/19, 5:05 AM - Great note Wozza, thank you for sharing. Wet stone I think is the same as my ‘oyster shell’ flavour I always see in OPOH. Sounds lovely.

• vinscent commented:

  11/30/19, 9:15 PM - This was also my favourite on the day, and purchased a few to stash away in the cellar. Now officially booked in via my CellarTracker, and keen to keep an eye on reviews as to how they’re progressing over the next 10 years!

• Wozza commented:

  11/30/19, 9:21 PM - Thanks Screwcap. I think you are right on that flavour. Always a nice touch on the op&oh

• Wozza commented:

  11/30/19, 9:22 PM - Glad you liked it too, Vinscent. I'll look out for your notes over the coming years. Cheers, Wozza

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