The Real Review | Huon Hooke | July 2025
94
Huon Hooke
REAL REVIEW
RunRig 2022
Opaque, almost glass staining purple colour; sweety jammy and black fruited aromas, charred oak too. The wine is very ripe and very deep, concentrated and sumptuous in the mouth. The succulent sweet core is backed by abundant drying tannins. Sumptuous flavour and massive ripeness, the long aftertaste warmed by generous alcohol. There's a certain chewiness and slight bitterness that could be resolved by time or hearty protein
95
Huon Hooke
REAL REVIEW
Les Amis 2022
Deep red-purple colour, bright and youthful. Smoky, charry oak and roasting-pan aromas. Full bodied and fleshy, supple and smoothly rounded, with drying tannins at the long finish, notes of coffee and mocha throughout. A more oaky style of grenache and yet it leaves the palate with a feeling of balance and even elegance. It has the drive and punch of tannin to age to advantage for many years.
95
Gabrielle Poy
REAL REVIEW
The Factor 2022
High-octane notes of vanilla bean, licorice, blackberry jam and rose oil welcome with arms wide open. The palate is plush yet structured: red and black berries anchor the wine while a firm line of salted licorice-like tannins offsets the ripe flavours and girdles the masses of fruit. While the tannins are firm, they're also very fine, leaving a wake of chalkiness. It's a sleeper, everything is in its place, and there's freshness to set this full-bodied shiraz up for a lavish lifestyle. Patience is needed
97
Gabrielle Poy
REAL REVIEW
Descendant 2022
ooof - this is giving off 'roasted slope' aromas...à la Côte Rôtie. Crushed roses, freshly turned soil, and olive tapenade on the nose lead into a sultry palate. The flavours mirror the nose. The structure is pliant yet supportive; it feels quite slippery and inviting in its youth, though it has great stamina to age. For a young premium shiraz, it's incredibly welcoming in its youth.
93
Aaron Brasher
REAL REVIEW
The Pict 2021
Inky red and opaque in the glass. Heady aromas of stewed plum, mulberry, Asian spice, dried flowers, dark chocolate, menthol and nutmeggy oak. Fleshy, opulent, dark fruited and plush in flavour. There’s real power and exuberance, as well as texture, balance and cut. A wine that has lovely concentration, purity and real drinkability
93
Stuart Knox
REAL REVIEW
The Gask 2023
Ink black core into a deep purple rim. Blackberry and nori aromatics. Deep and weighty with a richness and density to the black fruit that becomes a velvet textural component. There's cola spices along the line then a deep loam and dried herbal character slides in bringing a complexity and savoury balance to the generosity of fruit. Great length; tannins are well bound into the flow and ensure length without gripping too firmly
92
Gabrielle Poy
REAL REVIEW
The Struie 2023
Dense purple colour; pungent notes of spiced berries, licorice and Christmas cake spice make way for a plush and chewy core. Tannins frame the intense fruits: they're the necessary scaffolding this full-bodied red requires, signing off with chalky persistence. It's a little stoic in its youth, but time in glass allows the fruit to unfurl and relax. This is a fresh and modern take on the Barossa. A second glass is not out of the question. It will win many hearts and age nicely
93
Gabrielle Poy
REAL REVIEW
The Steading 2023
paque ruby. Arresting notes of roasted red plums, dark raspberries, kelp and licorice get the senses excited. The palate delivers on what the nose promises: intense notes of blackberry coulis, bramble and sweet spices are kept in check by a backbone of inky tannins. This full-bodied delight has loads of freshness. While the fruit marries nicely to the structure at this stage, it also has great aging potential
90
Huon Hooke
REAL REVIEW
Woodcutter's Shiraz 2023
Very deep, almost glass-staining red-purple colour; meaty/earthy, spice and gently jammy fruit aromas. The wine is full-bodied and firm with slightly gritty tannins and remarkable depth and drive for the price. Solid shiraz, not refined but rewarding to drink now with hearty proteins and has some aging potential too. Value.
91
Stuart Knox
REAL REVIEW
Cuvee Juveniles 2023
Full ruby red colour. Mixed forest berries and crushed purple flowers on the nose. Fresh fruits layer on the palate with a silky texture that glides along. Through that flow we note anise and dried rosemary, hint of prosciutto and black pepper. Lovely length and remains supple to the dry finish
90
Stuart Knox
REAL REVIEW
Kyloe Mataro 2022
Deep ruby red. Blackberry and biltong aromas. Big and dense blackberry fruit on entry and through the core. Sitting over the fruit weight we see ironstone and cured beef, a touch of smoky spices as well. Tannins offer a firming and drying tension to the long, if a little warm, finish. A big protein will soak up that structure and warmth well
