Alex Head Rare Tawny Batch 2
- 95
- $70 500mls
Share
It has been 10 years since Alex offered his version of what we used to call a tawny port, Batch #1, and he felt it might be a good idea to release another to celebrate their 20th anniversary. I’m sure that anyone who tastes this delicious fortified will more than agree. This is largely made from a blend of Grenache and Shiraz which were picked around half a century ago and then barrel aged in an old port shed. More accurately, it includes twenty-to-forty-five-year old Grenache and Souzao, 1930s Shiraz, Dolcetto and Tokay, 1968 Old White, and twelve- to eighteen-year-old Grenache and Shiraz from Yalumba. And that is just for starters. This batch consists of 1,500 500-ml bottles. Don’t miss it. Deep tawny with an orange/brown rim, it has that wonderful old Tawny port style nose that was extremely popular many years ago. Notes of orange rinds, teak, rancio, dried herbs, glacéd fruit and caramel abound. Offering a supple texture, there is obviously older material used here. Great length and yet the wine maintains its intensity and freshness throughout. Love it.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
