4 an4 and 6 bottle levels $24 (member price $21)
100% Shiraz   14.5% ABV

Dean Hewitson founded his namesake winery in 1988.  The vineyards he purchased include some of the oldest vines in the world, including Mourvèdre planted in 1853, and those vines are still producing fruit!  Being that he's in the heart of the Barossa Valley, Shiraz is a prominent part of his lineup, including Le Secateurs (The Clippers), a single vineyard from Steingarten Road Vineyard.  The slogan on the bottle is “Sun Dried on the Vine”, as this is an appassimento wine, where grapes are dried before pressing, thus increasing their sugar level (while retaining acidity).  Amarone is the most famous example of appassimento wine.  The resulting wines can be higher alcohol while still being fresh.  14 months in French oak (mostly neutral).  Blackberry, black cherry, molasses, dark chocolate.

Food Pairing Suggestions:
Enjoy this savory wine with steak au poivre over sauteed kale, grilled burgers topped with caramelized onion, smoky bacon and sharp cheddar, Asian spiced pork kebabs, flatbread topped with Fontina and onion confit, sausage manicotti, maple-barbecued spiced chicken thighs, grilled peppered pork loin with mustard sauce, beef and pork empanades, skirt steak and green pepper fajitas, Mongolian style lamb and even traditional spaghetti and meatballs topped with shaved Parmesan. Or simply savor a glass with a sliver of Époisses or aged Cheddar.