Hamilton's 1998 'Marion Vineyard'

[Mahmoud Ali]

1998 Hamilton's 'Marion Vineyard' Grenache Shiraz, Adelaide (14%)

The Marion Vineyard is one of the most historic vineyards in South Australia, located right in the City of Adelaide, in the suburb of Marion. I believe the vineyard is still owned by the council and they lease the fruit. Back in 1998 the fruit was sold to Hamilton but I understand that this is no longer the case. When I was in the area back in 2001 I remembered driving along Marion Road and through the suburb. In the McLaren Vale I visited Hamilton's cellar door and tasted their 1998 Burton's Vinyard Grenache Shiraz and was mightily impressed. They had the Marion at cellar door but it wasn't on tasting. When I returned to Sydney I couldn't fine the Burtons Vineyard but I did find the Marion.

Hamilton's1998MarionGrenacheShiraz.jpg

I served this at a dinner a couple of weeks ago. It was a lovely wine. I only gave it a quick decant before serving because it looked a little light through the bottle. It was quite feral and full of barnyard elements but this slowly disappeared and was replaced by a rather vibrant red-fruited nose. This was in a very nice place, complex, mature, garrigue-like, and long. Everyone at the table was sure that it was an old world wine. Weren't they surprised.

Cheers ....................... Mahmoud.