By John Rozentals.
Georgina Hart’s label design for the Hesketh 2018 Art Series Midday Somewhere Shiraz.
I guess that the average pocket of my average reader stretches to something like $15-25 per bottle of wine, with the top end of that range devoted very much to special occasions.
Avoid the Hesketh Art Series 2019 Rules of Engagement Pinot Grigio and you’ll not much do better at the lower end of the price bracket.
A big plus is Georgina Hart’s artwork on the back labels, cleverly painted to match the catchy wine names.
Hence we have, as illustrated here, the back of the Art Series Midday Somewhere Shiraz, with both drinkers sound asleep. Yes, indeed, it is midday somewhere.
The range also justifies the excitement over the relatively new Limestone Coast area which obviously emerges from the long story of the traditional shiraz and cabernet from Coonawarra.
It also produces great shiraz and cabernet from areas such as around Bordertown and excellent aromatic whites from near Robe and Mt Gambier.
WINE REVIEWS
Hesketh 2019 Art Series Bright Young Things Sauvignon Blanc ($15): Drinkers say, quite wrongly, that I have an aversion to dry white made from sauvignon blanc. What I really have is an aversion to the flood of sauvignon blanc, much of it from New Zealand’ s Marlborough region, besieging our bottlehops with skinny wines w made from underripe, overcropped grapes. Enter this lovely fresh, crisp dry white from South Australia’s Limestone Coast. It has the palate flavour to easily pass the second-glass test. Oh, for a bucket of fresh prawns.
Hesketh 2019 Art Series Lost Weekend Chardonnay ($15): Another dry white from South Australia’s Limestone Coast, this one of a fuller-bodied persuasion. At this price don’t expect the exquisite favours and finesse of the Adelaide Hills area, which does the variety so well. Do expect, though, some resounding fruit freshness and some nuances of winemaking cleverness. The wine has the acidity to cut through quite creamy white pasta sauces such as carbonara.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Hesketh 2018 Art Series Midday Somewhere Shiraz ($15): My favourite from the range, this delicious red also hails from South Australia’s Limestone Coast. It has the expected dark-berry and spice flavours of shiraz plus it carries enough tannin to satisfy the commited red-wine lover. A great match for that rare char-grilled steak straight off the end-of-season barbie, or the rich stew we are just waiting to get our gums around.
NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.
