Christmas Day - Decisions Decisions!

[AndrewCowley]

I'll be providing a couple of bottles of red for lunch with my family on Christmas day. Decisions decisions...

04 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

or

05 Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz

Any thoughts? I've not tried either myself, since I'd like to surprise myself as well as everyone else. Since they are both Shiraz I'd rather not mix them so it has to be one or the other.

Would you decant either of these? Wondering since I'd rather avoid the hassle but perhaps worthwhile nonetheless. Wonder if it makes sense to decant the night before and then put back into the bottle?

[Leigh]

Hi Andrew,

I have recently tasted the 05/06 Mad Hatter Shiraz and submitted a previous post only several weeks ago (listed below). I personally would go the St Henri with a few hours in the decanter.

If you do open the 05 Mad Hatter would you mind posting your comments as I would be very interested to see what you thought!. The 05 was slightly better in my opinion than the 06.

Cheers
Leigh

I was fortunate enough to get a few bottles of the Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz 2005 & 2006 about a month ago for a reduced rate. On Friday night we tasted both the 05 and 06 and only one word could describe these wines; dissappointing!. The ratings and reviews on the net are sensational and everyone raves about how rich and opulent these wines are. Unfortunately I thought that I was buying a quality wine at $55-$65 RRP and in my view they were both a $20 bottle. Both bottles were decanted.

On the same night we also opened a bottle of the Scarpantoni Estate 2006 Block 3 Shiraz @ $23.90/bottle and a Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2005 @ $39.90/bottle. Both beautiful wines and value for money.

The Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz overall was not a bad wine, but sadly was not what I expected for the so called premier wine from the Hewitson winery. Who knows, it may get better over time and might be a tad young at the moment. I have kept 2 bottles in the wine fridge which I will open in a few years.

I am by no means an expert in wine tasting but I know value for money. Has anyone else ever tasted the Mad Hatter?. I have tasted most of the range from Hewitson and overall I have been impressed with the quality.

[griff]

Only tried the 05 Leigh and I for one found it heavy and overripe. I agree with your sentiments. Haven't tried the 06 though.

The St Henri was very closed when I tried it but it is the better wine. Even better on Boxing Day I bet should it last the distance.

cheers

Carl

[AndrewCowley]

Cool, thanks for the suggestions. Another choice would be 04 Seppelt St Peters which is another highly regarded Shiraz.

For the 'wow' factor I'd probably go the St Henri since being Penfolds people will at least have some idea what it is.

[dave vino]

Just drink both, if there are more than 4 people that should be easy. Decant both for an hour at least.

I'd drink the Henri if I had to pick one.