Hugh’s first foray into Saperavi came from a connection with Georgian winemaker - Lado Uzunashvili. Hugh became fascinated, and then obsessed with Saperavi! He ripped up his Petit Verdot vines (some called him a ‘Nutter’ for this!) and planted McLaren Vale’s first Saperavi. 20 successful years later, we are Australia’s most prominent Saperavi producer and Hugh is the president of the Australian Saperavi Association. ‘The Oddball’ should be shared with a meal and as many friends and family as you can find. Bouquet and palate - Black Forest floor, petrichor, and coal. Proper pepper in amongst pulped plums and molasses. Black patent leather and a crunch of fennel seed alongside lifts of hibiscus, raspberry, and black tea leaves oak char and an earthy caramel. Decidedly dense, the tannin line needs time to tame but there’s plenty of promise.