Richard Hamilton The Smuggler McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020

The name of this exciting new Shiraz gives a nod to a colourful footnote in the rich history of the Hamilton winemaking clan. Before Richard Hamilton emigrated to Australia in 1837 to establish South Australia’s first commercial vineyard, he had run a well-known tailoring business in the UK Port of Dover. His interest in wine had also led to a sideline business of ‘importing’ French wine from over the English Channel – under the cover of darkness! Five generations on Dr. Richard Hamilton owns the estate and he and chief winemaker Paul Gordon maintain the family tradition of excellence. Shiraz vines for The Smuggler grow just 10km from the sea – so as well as intensely flavoured dark and spicy fruit, the wine displays wonderful freshness too. It has gone down a storm with wine writers – and customers.