As the F1 kicks off this weekend, after a two year hiatus, the second vintage of the collaboration with St Hugo couldn’t come at a more perfect time. The release, under the DR3 X St Hugo label, includes the 2018 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2020 South Australia Shiraz.
Daniel Ricciardo has worked under the guidance of Peter Munro, St Hugo’s chief winemaker, with an active role in blending and tasting throughout the process to help drive the flavour and structure of the wines. “There's a lot that goes into making these wines, and the second vintage is no different. This second release has more of a personal touch as I've continued to learn more about wine and become more conscious of what I like. I love full flavour that feels like a mouth explosion, but I also didn’t want anything too sharp or intense and the resulting wines have just the right impact of how I want people to experience them.”
The grapes for the shiraz were sourced from cooler regions of South Australia, producing a fruit-forward wine with floral notes, while the Coonawarra cabernet was derived from grapes grown on terra rossa soil over limestone.
Perhaps the most unique part of the second DR3 vintage is the Ricciardo Decanter. Designed by Vert Design, the decanter is hand-blown and inspired by the McLaren driver’s racing boot, and has the capacity to hold a 750ml bottle of wine. Extremely limited (only 1100 have been made), and bringing some class to the term 'shoey', the decanter is presented in a trophy case inspired display box and is available for $700 (AU).
The limited-edition cabernet and shiraz have each been individually numbered, and for the first time the shiraz is available in magnum sizes: 1.5L, 3L and 6L.
2018 DR3 X St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark garnet red in colour, aromas of spice, violet, floral notes with red fruits of pomegranate, and raspberry intertwined with hints of dried herb and bay leaf. Regionally expressive, with fine chalky tannins and bright red fruits with a hint of oak showing through to deliver a seamless and even palate.RRP $70 | Drink to 2038
2020 DR3 X St Hugo South Australia Shiraz
Dark brick red in colour, blackberry fruit, hints of florals and blueberries encased in a chassis of graphite, mineral, and a touch of char on the nose. A palate that is dark and linear, brooding with masses of dark berry, bright plum and raspberry fruit all encased in a very fine chalky tannin structure that is persistence, focused and linear.RRP $70 | Drink to 2035
The collection is available from sthugo.com.
