Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018

The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is a beautiful full-bodied wine that goes so well with food. Its complex flavours are well-balanced between fruit and smooth oaky flavours. It is drinking well now, and each sip leaves you wanting another, making it all too easy to polish off. 

This week I wanted to share with you a wine I tried from the Hugh Hamilton Working from Home pack. If you’re following along on Instagram, I shared what I received in this great pack a few weeks ago. There are so many goodies to make the working from home week just a little better – including some snacks and even a beanie to keep you warm! You can find out more about their great isolation themed packs here, or on my Drink Aussie Wine page!

Now that the weather has finally turned in Brisbane (I mean it’s still warm during the day but a girls gotta take what she can get), there is a great excuse to start jumping into the reds. Not that I really need an excuse, but it definitely feels nice to be moving into that cozy weather where you can just snuggle up on the couch in front of a good TV show with a glass of red. The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 definitely suited this scenario perfectly! I mean I could have definitely aged it and waited a few years, but who really wants to wait right now?

Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is seriously good

The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is a Mourvedre which I will admit, I have trouble saying. It is actually the same variety as Mataro or Monastrell, both of which are a lot easier to pronounce! It originated in Spain but is grown all over the world, particularly in France in the Rhone and Provence regions. It’s a heavy-bodied red similar to that of a Cabernet or Shiraz, if you haven’t tried one before! This grape thrives in warmer climates, which means that McLaren Vale is the perfect spot for growing it!

Hugh Hamilton is run by Australia’s oldest wine family, with Mary being the 6th generation. Hugh Hamilton was known as the black sheep of the family, hence the imagery on their labels. Their wines offer something different whether it’s a new take on a classic or something you may not have tried before. As a side note, their cellar door offers a fabulous tasting experience when we are able to travel again!

The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is named after its grape. The Mourvedre or Mataro grape is last to harvest, so it is known for slacking off. However, in the case of this wine, I’d say it’s worth the wait!

Why I loved it

The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is a rich and full-bodied wine. Its deep purple colour is beautiful in the glass. On the nose, I got a hit of fruit, particularly plum and sweet toffee apple. It feels like the wine is going to be a fruit bomb, but then it becomes balanced by woody smells. Flavour-wise, you get the freshness of fruit which is balanced out by a hint of smokiness – think wood and leather. This combination has a lot of great length, but enough acidity to leave you wanting another sip.

So who would love this wine? If you like your wine bold and full of rich flavours, this wine is for you. It’s well balanced between fruit and smokey flavours from oak, coming together into a really delicious wine. Although it was heavy, the complexity of the palate left me wanting sip after sip, and it wasn’t too long before we polished off the bottle! This wine is really drinkable despite its heaviness, which makes it the perfect wine for sipping on long after you’ve finished dinner.

What to enjoy it with

The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is definitely a food wine. The complex flavours and heavy body make it the perfect pair to rich, bold flavours. Whether you want to pair it with a bbq, pork chops or beef ribs, you really can’t go wrong! Anything on the heavier side will go oh-so-well with this wine.

In terms of cellaring, you could easily enjoy this wine now or wait for up to six years, if you can! The complex flavours of the oak will really start to shine through as this wine ages. But if you like your wine with a bit more fruit, it is drinking well now! Best to make the most of self-isolation and enjoy it in the moment.

The final word on the Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018

The Hugh Hamilton The Moocher 2018 is the perfect wine to add to your self-isolation rotation. It’s full of delicious flavours, complex and something just a little bit fancy and different. The perfect pair to your quarantine cooking – just crack it open and enjoy!

You can purchase this wine from Hugh Hamilton’s website.

Note: I was sent this wine as a sample. I was under no obligation to post about it.