After a 10-year search, winemaker Adam Richardson selected the very special terroir of his Hard Hill Road Vineyard site for the production of his Chockstone and Hard Hill Road labels. With its own special microclimate, the Hard Hill Road Vineyard’s cool ripening conditions and naturally low-yielding vines produce wines with layers of intense flavours and a velvety structure. Like many of the best wines in this historic region, A.T. Richardson wines are approachable in their youth and possess the potential to age gracefully. In A.T. Richardson Wines, you will taste the rich and enticing flavours of the Grampians and get caught up in the excitement of wine, adventure, and life.

This is a lovely wine, true to its grape and true to its region. It's peppery and smoky and twiggy and savoury, but it's bursting with blueberry and cherry-plum fruit too, and it keeps going all the way through to a sustained finish. Cedarwood oak has been expertly applied here – not too much, just enough. Some warmth to the finish is the only minor distraction. Otherwise, this wine is full of peppery, smoky, berried goodness. Drink to: 2032; Price: $28.00; Date Tasted: October 2023; Alcohol: 14.5%; Rating: 94 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion