David Hook has had his heart in the Hunter Valley for some time now with over 25 years experience as a winemaker for Tyrrell’s and Lakes Folly.
In the early 1980’s, David selected sites on the family grazing property that he believed would produce wines of consistent quality and individual style. The Pothana Vineyard has now been in production for over 25 years, and the wines made from it are given the Old Vines banner. This vineyard is planted on the Belford Dome, an ancient geological formation that provides red clay soils over limestone on the slopes, and sandy loams along the creek flats; the former for red wines, the latter for white.
A must try wine from David’s cellar door at Peppers Creek in Pokolbin is the 2011 Reserve Barbera. The grapes for this vintage have come from a vineyard in the foothills of Mount Canobolas near Orange in NSW. The cool climate and volcanic soils combine to produce high quality fruit with good intensity of flavour and high natural acidity. The grapes were fermented in traditional open vats which were hand plunged regularly. The wine was then matured in older oak barrels for 12 months prior to bottling.
This wine exhibits all the classic varietal characters of barbera. Deep crimson red in colour with dry cherry and prune aromas. Savoury flavours dominate the palate which is medium bodied and finishes with a firm acidity accompanied by fine soft tannins typical of the variety.
A wonderful drink now, the wine will cellar well for 2 to 4 years .
David Hook Wines
Address Corner Ekerts and Broke Roads, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Telephone 02 4998 7121
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