2022 Huntington Estate Nouveau

Vivid, super-soft and fruity.

VARIETY Necessity is the mother of the best inventions. This wine was born from expediency – we didn’t have enough Grenache after allocating fruit to the Reserve; and the pressures of the season forced our hand with an earlier than usual pick date. Ultimately, it's a continuation of the evolving style of the white label Grenache towards lighter, fruitier, drink now. We absolutely LOVE the wine, and I am sure all fans of a lighter style of red will do too.

VINEYARD / WINEMAKING Equal thirds of Estate-grown Grenache (from the original Block 22) and Shiraz (Block 18) were co-fermented, then subsequently blended with a batch of Mudgee Pinot Noir. The Grenache and Shiraz were picked early at around 11 Baumé; the Pinot at 13.5. Juice was fermented using a rosé yeast to bring out the aromatics; then the wine went through a secondary malolactic fermentation to enhance softness and smoothness. After malo, it spent 4 months in well-seasoned oak barriques, and was bottled 18th August 2022.

IN NOSE Berry, red cherry, red currant, violets (from the pinot), pink peppercorns and candied apple.

IN MOUTH Vibrant, succulent red fruit juice (pomegranate, cranberry, cherry). It's bone dry with zero residual sugar, but the sheer amount of fruit gives it natural sweetness. Light-bodied, incredibly soft, and really well balanced. Delicate and mouth-watering acid (rounded by the malolactic fermentation), lovely length and finish. It sits between our Pinot Noir Rosé and our Grenache in terms of style and has tremendous appeal and versatility.

CELLAR until 2024 - designed to be enjoyed in all its youthful vibrancy.

DRINK WITH The perfect party drink - will match all kinds of canapés. Serve at room temperature or lightly chilled on a very hot day.

ACCLAIM

91/100 "A Grenache, Pinot and Shiraz blend from Mudgee, made in an easy drinking style. The wine is certainly pinotesque in terms of colour with a vibrant but light red in the glass. The nose has red cherry and raspberry fruit with a faint pepperiness. There is crunch and freshness to the palate with a mineral almost citrus like edge to finely contoured red berry fruits. Wild strawberry shines through in terms of fruit, and a final textural pull to finish. Drink now and over the next couple of years." THE WINE REVIEWER 2022

91/100 "A little something fresh and appealing from Huntington Estate - a drink now, think later blend of Grenache, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Who says you can't drink red wine in summer? A wine that will take a slight chill, balcony wines soaking up the afternoon breeze got a little more interesting. This covers so many bases with its inviting persona. Fresh fruit, crunchy acidity, some textural presence and a dash of spice - a wine for all seasons perhaps? Juicy red currant and berries surge throughout. A little meaty drive with black pepper and some red plums, it skates along seemingly too busy to sit and chat. There are enough reds out there for those D&M moments but this is all about having some fun. The red apple acidity has me sold with a fine dusting of pepper the parting gift. Nicely done. As they say in the big leagues, 'Coming to a barbecue near you...'" QWINE 2022