Altus/Rise Ascension Shiraz 2023
- 95
- $55
- Drink by: 2025-2040
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The colour here is a vibrant inky purple, while the nose is redolent of chocolate, plums and cassis, supported by dried herbs, blackcurrants and soy. This is intense, even a little bit impenetrable, at this early stage. The wine has focus, line and length, with a sleek texture, bright acidity, fine balance and silky tannins. Should provide pleasure for at least the next twelve to fifteen years. There is so much to like here.
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.
