Hay Shed Hill|Margaret River|Premium Wines

JAMES HALLIDAY AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 2011 - RED FIVE STAR WINERY RATING

The changes continue at Hay Shed Hill. Highly regarded former winemaker at Howard Park, Mike Kerrigan acquired the business in late 2006 (with co-ownership by the West Cape Howe Syndicate) and is now the full-time winemaker. He had every confidence he could dramatically lift the quality of the wines, which is precisely what he has done.

OUTSTANDING Wines of the highest quality , often with a distinguished pedigree. 94-100 points

Hay Shed Hill Block 6 Chardonnay 2008 – 96 points Rated equal 2nd highest chardonnay

Bright straw-green; a complete chardonnay in a style unique to Margaret River, although the low alcohol adds another dimension; the fruit has a wonderful clarity undimmed by barrel ferment. To 2016.

Hay Shed Hill Block 2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – 96 points

Deep colour; a rich, full-bodied wine bursting with blackcurrant fruit, the ripe tannins fitting like a glove the oak likewise. A 20 year minimum future. To 2027.

Hay Shed Hill Block 6 Chardonnay 2009 – 95 points

Vibrant Hue; a highly perfumed bouquet of nectarine and grapefruit, with a sprinkle of vanilla from the fine French oak; the palate is incredibly fresh, and the acidity quite racy and fine, with a long, fine and even finish to the wine; beautiful purity at just 12% alcohol. To 2025.

Hay Shed Hill Block 2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – 95 points

The stellar 2008 Margaret River vintage is on full display in this wine; pure blackcurrant, olive and tobacco leaf give over to a fleshy, full-bodied and generous mouthful of pure cabernet fruit; couple this to a thrilling backbone of acidity , silky fine-grained tannins and you have a wine that will excite at any stage of development. To 2025.

Hay Shed Hill Block 1 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009 – 94 points

Offers a totally seamless fusion of citrus, guava and lemongrass with subtle barrel ferment French oak inputs, underwritten by mineral and lemon acidity; excellent length. To 2012.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Wines of great quality, style and character, worthy of a place in any cellar. 90-93 points.

Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay 2009 – 93 points

(tasting notes not shown but available on website www.winecompanion.com.au)

Hay Shed Hill Shiraz Tempranillo 2008 – 92 points

Fragrant and perfumed, with a spicy edge to the bouquet; medium-bodied with a fleshy mid-palate and abundant red fruits marrying seamlessly with a touch of a roasted mead savoury character; fine and fresh on the finish. To 2014.

Hay Shed Cabernet Merlot 2008 – 92 points

A highly polished bouquet of redcurrant, blackcurrant and a touch of cedar; medium-bodied with plenty of flesh, fine-grained tannins and satisfyingly persistent flavour. To 2017.

Hay Shed Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009 – 91 points

Quite a pristine bouquet, blending a touch of the tropical, nettle and a little citrus; the palate is fresh and focused, with plenty of flavour and good line to conclude. To 2012.

 

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 points

(tasting notes not shown but available on website www.winecompanion.com.au)

 

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

 Margaret River’s 2008 bargain reds keep on coming. The black fruit concentration here is something to behold and there are touches of mint, liquorice and dark chocolate along the way. Give it time. 92 Points. Tyson Stelzer, Wine100 Magazine - July 2010

Hay Shed Hill 'Block 2' Cabernet Sauvingon 2008

There is great fruit persistence hidden in the depths of this wine, but it’s going to take a decade for it to show itself.  Structured and chiseled, it’s built around super-fine, textural tannins, excellent oak balance and vibrant acidity.   93 Points. Tyson Stelzer, Wine100 Magazine - July 2010

Hay Shed Hill 'Block 1' Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2009

You’d never guess that this has been fermented and matured in French oak barriques, such is the zesty purity and freshness of its lemon and lime fruit.  It has an air of cool restraint and textural minerality and it lacks nothing in line and drive.  A seamlessly crafted wine from Master Kerrigan. 94 POINTS. Wine 100 magazine – June 2010 Review by Tyson Stelzer

Hay Shed Hill 'Block 6' Chardonnay 2009 

Barrel fermented in French barriques, any hint of oak is completely subsumed by the lean citrus fruit in this zesty, fruit driven style.  Fine minerality supports its flavours of fresh grapefruit, white peach and passionfruit. Time in the cellar will unfold its complexity. 93 POINTS Wine 100 magazine – June 2010 Review by Tyson Stelzer

 

Hay Shed Hill 'Block 2' Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

May well be the best cabernet yet from this vineyard.  A very powerful and concentrated cabernet with ripe tannins and ample cedary oak worked into the thick dense fruit.  It’s a wine with great structure and potential to age.  Around 10 years would be just right for this wine. 95 Points. West Weekend, The West Australian Newspaper, April 24, 2010. Review by Ray Jordan

 

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Merlot 2008

A bargain Margaret River quaffer with the structure to develop for the medium term.  An elegant and honed style with an attractive profile of blackcurrant fruit, dark chocolate and mint. 91 POINTS. Wine 100 magazine – June 2010 Review by Tyson Stelzer.

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvingon 2008

Faultless and pure is this spectacularly well-priced cabernet from Margaret River.  Winemaker Michael Kerrigan reveals he understands the essence of cabernet with this wine.  The fruit is perfectly ripe and is both varietally and regionally expressive.  The flavours are concentrated, the structure elegant and the tannins fine. Qantas Magazine – June 2010. Review by Toni Paterson MW.

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (wine of the week)

This well established Margaret River winery is now in the capable hands of the former Howard Park winemaker Mike Kerrigan and the wines are better than ever.  The ’08 vintage is another excellent one for reds in this area, making two in a row.  Sweet berry-fruit aromas are complemented by a lick of eucalyptus/mint and the fruit flavour is lush on the palate, where the wine has depth and elegance, fine-grained tannins and good persistence.  Already a charming wine, it will – I suspect be relatively early maturing. Drink now to 2022. 93/100. Sydney Morning Herald – Good Living, 15^th June 2010. Review by Huon Hooke.

 

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

This wine is well concentrated, fully ripe and packs quite a punch.  The bouquet suggests it’s soaked up by quite a lot of oak, and the wine is dense and thickly textured on the palate.  This gives a somewhat chunky structure with a lot of fleshy extract and a chewy mouth-feel.  It’s packed with flavour and texture and just needs time.  17.5/20 Silver Scoop Magazine, July 2010. Review by various.

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - Gold Medal Winner - International Wine Challenge 2010 London

The judges said: Opaque core. Ripe, sweet fruit aromas. Damson/black fruit with slightly jammy hints. Very firm tannins mashing fruit on the palate. Youthful. Underlying compact fruit needs time to show, line of acidity adds freshness.

Hay Shed Hill Shiraz Tempranillo 2008 

From Margaret River, with lots of rich dark cherry notes. Fresh, with elegant tannins. 90 Points. QWEEKEND, Courier Mail, March 27-28, 2010. Review by Ken Gargett

 

Highly regarded former winemaker at Howard Park, Mike Kerrigan has acquired the business (with co-ownership by the West Cape Howe syndicate) and is now the full-time winemaker. He had every confidence he could dramatically lift the quality of the wines, which is precisely what he has done. James Halliday Wine Companion 2009

Michael Kerrigan - Winemaker

WITH a star-studded career behind him as architect of the classy Howard Park and Madfish brands, Michael Kerrigan has taken on a new challenge at the neighbouring Hay Shed Hill winery. Having spent 13 vintages making the big decisions that triggered unprecedented growth of the Howard Park and Madfish labels, Kerrigan is considered one of the most respected technicians in this super-premium region.
With 30-year-old plantings at his disposal, Kerrigan has understandably set his sights on producing classic “old vine” Margaret River wines. John Fordham – Sunday Telegraph - 23/03/2008
 

Hay Shed Hill Block Series Wines

2005 Hay Shed Hill 'Block 2' Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent colour and clarity; a powerful, full-bodied palate with perfectly delineated cabernet fruit supported by firm tannins; will richly repay the cellaring it demands. Rating 94. Aging to 2025. James Halliday Wine Companion 2009

2007 Hay Shed Hill 'Block 1' Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Fine, elegant and tightly focused; citrus, mineral and herb flavours seamlessly welded; subliminal oak on a long dry finish. Rating 94. James Halliday Wine Companion 2009

The blessings are starting to flow from Mike Kerrigan's incaration as winemaker at HSH, and this SSB is a brilliant start! A surging line of very tight lemon acidity underpins all manner of green herbs and spices.  This is an exceedingly senior SSB with great line and power.  It will age brilliantly. 94/100. WBM100 – Tyson Stelzer  January 2008

Cracker of a wine for those lovers of 'integrated complex'.  Voluminously shellacked with French barrique vanilla and Persian limes, it's roomy, elegant and refined.  The oak gives it extra dimensions; sweet spice verses the cutting citrus acidity which resolves to a taut fine finish. Spice Magaine - Autumn 2008

2007 Hay Shed Hill 'Block 6' Chardonnay

Comes from a low yielding section of the vineyard.  It is correspondingly very intense on both nose and palate while striking an excellent fruit and oak balance.  Nice tough of grapefuit and citrus on the nose while the palate exhibits deep but controlled intensity. 90/100. The West Australian - Ray Jordan - June 2008

2005 Hay Shed Hill 'Block 2' Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent colour and clarity; a powerful, full-bodied plate with perfectly delineated cabernet fruit supported by firm tannins; will richly repay the cellaring it demands.  Rating 94. Cellar to 2025. James Halliday Wine Companion 2009

2005 Hay Shed Hill 'Block 2' Cabernet Sauvignon

A triumph for new winemaker Mike Kerrigan at this Wilyabrup vineyard: opulent and fleshy with deep, ripe cassis and dark-plum flavours that balance powerful, firm tannins. 18.5. Sunday Times Magazine - Top 100 Wines - Peter Forrestal - April 2008 (highest ranking wine in the Top 100)

Silver Medal Margaret River Wine Show 2007

2005 Hay Shed Hill 'Block 10' Petit Verdot

This wine has a very deep ruby colour and an aromatic nose of lavender and blackberry.  A big gutsy mouth feel creates a very robust style with a clean finish and assertive tannins, which should soften in time.  A good cellaring proposition.  BEST VARIETAL in the tasting 15.5. Scoop Magazine - April, 2008

Hay Shed Hill Wines

2008 Hay Shed Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Lively citrus/lemon aromas lead into a crisp, tightly structured palate with good acidity and freshness to the long finish.
91 Points. James Halliday www.winecompanion.com.au Tasted November 2008

2007 Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Gourmet Traveller Wine, February/March 2009. By Huon Hooke
Hay Shed Hill is under the guidance of Mike Kerrigan, the former Howard Park chief winemaker. This is a rich, concentrated, flavour-packed cabernet with blackberry, mulberry and vanillin aromas, and a touch of regional seaweed or nori character. It’s big in the mouth, a fairly tannic tongue-cruncher which needs to be cellared. The fact that it has such lashings of fruit backed up by excellent structure, suggests it will repay cellaring for at least 15 years, and start to drink really well in two or three years.

The Age, Epicure, January 27, 2009. UNCORKED by Ralph Kyte-Powell
From the Wilyabrup district, the best part of the Margaret River region for cabernet sauvignon, this young red has a flawless, piercing varietal aroma reminiscent of blackcurrants, violets and cedar. In the mouth, it’s pure and fine, combining freshness, delicacy and finesse with perfect balance and soft tannins. Should age well, too.

2007 Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay

Very ripe peach and orange citrus fruits, some fig too, there's some Margaret River power on show here.  The palate has regional sweet/sour interplay, tropical meets citrus flavours and subtle savoury notes through the finish.  Really Juicy.
91 Points WBM 100, Nick Stock - September 2008

Along with a vineyard in Margaret River’s quality heart, Hay Shed Hill now has former Howard Park winemaker Michael Kerrigan at the helm, making this a label to watch. This very classy chardonnay offers intense grapefruit and nectarine characters with lightly nutty barrel input. It has lovely texture, perfect balance and great finesse.
Rated ‘The Best White Wine in $18-$30 bracket’ FIVE STARS
Ralph Kyte-Powell Epicure Wine Styles Liftout - August 2008

This is Margaret River chardonnay of finesse and complexity at a fair price. Nectarine and grapefruit aromas with balanced, nutty barrel ferment and excellent texture and equilibrium. It should improve for a couple of years, too. 95/100 Sydney Morning Herald - Ralph Kyte-Powell - Good Living - May 27, 2008

2006 Hay Shed Hill Shiraz Tempranillo

The Hay Shed Hill Shiraz tempranillo 2006 is a real beauty. The blend of the plump, fleshy Shiraz with the drier earthy tempranillo works really well. Strong spicy and slightly pepper aromas with a warm, opulent, and focused palate. Fine tannins and nicely judged oak. Definitely worth checking out. The West Australian - Ray Jordan - 16th August 2007

GOLD MEDAL WINNER Margaret River Wine Show 2007
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER Qantas Wine Show of WA 2007
3 Stars - WINESTATE - The Best of the West Tasting - May/June 2008 Issue

A strange blend that works remarkably well here, with an accent on pepper, spice and vibrant berry fruit. There’s not a lot of weight in the middle, but it’s got plenty of lively acid to keep it going. At 12.5% alcohol it’s really well balanced.
90 points. WBM100 – Tyson Stelzer – January 2008

Pitchfork Wines

2007 Pitchfork Shiraz

Vivid crimson-purple; aromas of violets and cherry blossom on the bouquet lead into a vibrant, fresh palate with cherry and plum fruit leading the way.  Excellent value.
92 Points. James Halliday www.winecompantion.com.au Tasted Decmber 2008

2008 Pitchfork Chardonnay

Shows what can be achieved with unoaked chardonnay where the quality of the grapes is not in doubt; here a bright display of white peach and a twist of grapefruit does the job. Value.
90 Points. James Halliday www.winecompanion.com.au Tasted Dec 08

2008 Pitchfork Pink

Fresh as a daisy, bright and cherry rose.  Brilliant crimson pink colour.  Fresh strawberries and red berry aromas entrice.  The slightly sweet middle palate finishes with dry acidity.
86/100 Ray Jordan, The West Australian - Fresh, 18/09/2008

2007 Pitchfork Chardonnay

If you haven't rediscovered Pitchfork since Mike Kerrigan took the reins, here's a great place to start.  This is a fresh, quaffing-style Chardonnay with a tight palate that's all about ripe grapefruit and nutty complexity.  This brand is fast redefining entry level Margaret River.  90 points. WBM - Tyson Stelzer - February 2008

A clean, simple, fruit-driven aroma of peachy chardonnay and minerally notes, very little oak discernible and fairly light, but fair value as an entry-level $16 quaffer. 86/100. The Age/Sydney Morning Herald - Good Weekend Magazine - Huon Hooke - April 2008

2005 Pitchfork Shiraz

The Pitchfork Shiraz 2005 ($16) is damn fine value and offers a lot. Still tight with some savoury earthy characters on the nose and a focused long palate showing fine ripe tannins and excellent oak integration. Give it a month or so before drinking. The West Australian - Ray Jordan - August 2007

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER Margaret River Wine Show 2007
SILVER MEDAL WINNER Qantas Wine Show of WA 2007

An easy-drinking red from Margaret River that is made to be drunk young. Has depth and concentration of redcurrant jubes. 17 points. The Sunday Times Magazine - Peter Forrestal - April 20, 2008

Historical Reviews

2007 Hay Shed Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

The Hay Shed Hill sauvignon blanc semillon 2007 ($20) has exquisite sauvignon blanc dominating the aroma of this very good classic blend. Soft tropical flavours with tropical gooseberry characters and a keen cut of acid and citrus. Long flavoursome and controlled palate. The West Australian – Ray Jordan - August 2007

Silver Medal Qantas Wine Show of WA 2007
Bronze Medal Margaret River Wine Show 2007

Michael Kerrigan’s first vintage at the snappy Hay Shed Hill property in Willyabrup, Margaret River was a pretty good one. It has a bucketful of citrus fruit and melon along with freshly mown grass all bundled up in a long dry crisp package ready for drinking. There is no oak to complicate the pure fruit characters and we would hop in and enjoy it in its youth. Vita Magazine – Autumn 2008

5 Stars - WINESTATE - The Best of the West Tasting - May/June 2008 Issue

2007 Pitchfork Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

The Pitchfork Semillon sauvignon blanc 2007 ($16) is a light, delicate blended white with a fine zippy little acid sustaining a fresh and lively palate. It has a crunchy mouth feel with subtle herbaceousness and a little tropical character. Good current drinking. The West Australian - Ray Jordan - August 2007

Another bargain from the Pitchfork stable, this is a zesty, levely SSB ready for summer quaffing. It’s built around a pure lemon/lime juice backbone, on to which is sprinkled an array of mixed dried herbs. Great balance and length. 91 points. WBM – Tyson Stelzer - February, 2008

Silver Medal Qantas Wine Show of WA 2007

2007 Pitchfork Pink

Full purple in hue, this weightier style of Aussie rosé has a distinctly cabernet personality with blackcurrant pastille and slight crushed-leaf aromas, moving a slightly sweet but grapy palate. Not complex but fruity. 87 points. 
Gourmet Traveller WINE - Huon Hooke - April/May, 2008

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER Margaret River Wine Show 2007

2005 Pitchfork Cabernet Merlot

Pitchfork is the junior label of Margaret River winery Hay Shed Hill. It shows surprising elegance for a sub-$20 cabernet, true to its origins. The nose has light mint, violet and cedar notes, and blackcurrant fruit is clean and appetizing. It’s fine-textured, tangy and long, with moderate alcohol. (13.5% alcohol; screwcap)
Ageing? Drink over 3 years. 4 STARS - $$$ (a wine with a price tag that makes it a steal)
UNCORKED – EPICURE - Ralph Kyte-Powell - January 29, 2008

Margaret River cabernet blends are hardly renowned for value, which makes this wine even more phenomenal. It’s an accurate expression of a great vintage with every bit in the right place; succulent black and red currant fruit, leaf and mint, fine tannins and cigar box complexity building on a long finish. 92 points. WBM – Tyson Stelzer - February, 2008