Hardys' vintage luxury release not to be missed

Hardys' Icon range - Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2019 and Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2018 - will release next month. All three wines have scored 95 and above from James Halliday.

The new release wines continue the legacy of Thomas Hardy - hailed as the father of the South Australian wine industry - who in 1853, against a backdrop of global uncertainty, launched a brand with an audacious goal - to craft wines ‘revered around the world’.

Hardys Head Winemaker and Master of Wine, Nigel Sneyd said, “As one of Australia’s oldest and most iconic wineries, Hardys is well known for consistently crafting wines of excellence and is committed to keeping Thomas Hardy’s pioneering spirit alive.

"The latest Icon wines represent three consecutive outstanding vintages in South Australia - 2017, 2018 and 2019 – and are individual expressions of their distinct terroir. They are truly remarkable drops that embody the pinnacle of Australian winemaking."  

The Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2017 scored 95 points in the Halliday 2022 Awards while The Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2018 and Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 were both awarded 96. All three wines were awarded silver awards at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards.

The Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is blended from the cool 2017 vintage which enjoyed near-perfect growing conditions and shows fruit intensity with a fine acid line. Wine enthusiasts can anticipate youthful aromatics of red and blackberry fruits, spices of clove and cinnamon, fragrant wild mint and subtle oak. The palate offers a tight and muscular frame with a wave of fresh plums, mulberry and ripe blackberry moving to a more structural finish and beautifully integrated with oak and fine, natural tannins. The Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 can be enjoyed now or will cellar beautifully, reaching its peak in 20 plus years. 

The Eileen Hardy range represents the significance and prestige of this incredible winemaking family. Widely regarded as the first lady of Australian wine, Eileen played a pivotal role in the enduring success of Hardys, and these wines are a tribute to her inspiring dedication.

Crafted exclusively in McLaren Vale, the Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2018 is rich, ripe with fruit and offers delicate silky tannins – like an iron fist in a velvet glove. The nose envelops the senses with vibrant aromas of chocolate, leather, black olive, plum, mulberry and blueberry. The palate provides a startling contrast of intense dark chocolate, ripe blueberry and plum; mixed in with liquorice, peat and roasted coffee beans. Enjoy the Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2018 now or cellar this majestic drop for 20 plus years to reach its full potential. 

The Eileen Hardy is widely considered the benchmark of Chardonnay winemaking and the 2019 vintage does not disappoint. Exhibiting a sense of finesse and elegance, the Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2019 was produced with fruit primarily sourced from the cool Yarra Valley and Margaret River. Displaying the best characteristics and qualities from both regions, this complex expression of chardonnay delivers a palate of white florals and juicy stone fruit, laced over oak spice and flint, and balanced with a creamy yeast lees maturation. With careful cellaring, this magnificent wine will continue to develop over the next 5-15 years.

To celebrate this year’s vintage release, the latest Hardys Icon wines also feature new packaging befitting their luxury status and a reflection of the Hardy family’s legacy. 

The Hardys 2021 Vintage Release wines are available from October 7. The Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2018 (RRP $153.99) and Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2019 (RRP $117.99) available at Dan Murphy’s, Vintage Cellars and select independent retailers nationally and the Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (RRP $159.99) available at Dan Murphy’s and select independent retailers nationally from October 7, 2021.