Here is a really exceptional Australian Shiraz that you can find for under $20.00.
I love the names and labels the Aussie's come up with for their wines.
I didn't pick this just because it shares a name with one of my favorite movies Usual Suspects but I bet that Keyser Söze would like this wine and if you have seen the movie you know that we like to keep Keyser happy.
The wine is described as "meaty, lush Shiraz with exceptional balance and flavor.Scrumptious with washed rind cheeses. "
An influencing factor in my choice was certainly the Mclaren Vale origin of this wine. I just love the red wines from that prosperous region of Australia.
Hesketh Wine Company is a small, family owned, Adelaide based producer of high quality wines founded by Jonathon & Trish Hesketh.
They are a very interesting couple Trisha was born in Northern Ireland. She emigrated to Melbourne with her family when she was three. She worked in fashion and flew commercial aircraft. She manned the Cellar Door in McLaren Vale and has worked in PR in New Zealand.
Jon is a native of the area, born and raised in Adelaide to a family with deep roots in the wine industry. He spent some years being educated in France and returned speaking English with a French accent and then spent 8 years learning alternative vocations in Export Trading and Fast Moving Consumer Goods. He says he is forever grateful to late and great Greg Trott (Proprietor of Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale) for an entry back into the wine industry. Followed this with a stint in New Zealand on the distribution side of the wine business, running Lion Nathan's Distinguished Vineyards.
Along the way they raise four wonderful kids Angus, Ben, Jack and Maddie.
Their wines have garnered many favorable reviews and awards. Press
This wine:
"Shiraz can often be too big and obvious - too much alcohol, too much oak, too much dead fruit, too much of everything. The Usual Suspects simply isn't like this.
It's what McLaren Vale does best - vibrant fruit, complexity, elegance, balance and style. 'Thinking' shiraz that evolves and reveals itself as you progress through the bottle.
The Usual Suspects is named after Hamish Macdonald's artwork, which is a painting of a group of my friends - and this is how Trish tends to refer to them. You'll find more information under the 'artwork' section." Wine Maker
Sun Herald Sydney- Winsor Dobbin - "Splurge"
"McLaren Vale shirazes can be big, alcoholic, aggressive beasts, but this one (with a dash of viognier added) has rather more restraint than most and is all the better for it. It's only 13.5 per cent alcohol and has smoothness and complexity on it's side while at the same time being beautifully balanced and easy to drink. A versatile food wine."
Australian Financial Review - Tim White - 93 Points
"Plenty of cassis and spice and some black pepper, which is unusual for McLaren Vale shiraz. Some peach kernel too. Attacks with cassis and plums, and some more candied peach-like stuff. Perfectly balanced dry tannins balance the sweet fruit and there's subtle oak toastiness too. A damn tasty shiraz. 93/100."
The wine is available In NY & NJ I found mine at Home in Verona.
Read more about McLaren Vale here:
