Aramis O’Aristocratis Sparkling Syrah McLaren Vale 2005
- 96
- $95
- Drink by: 2025-2045
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The ultimate love-it-or-hate-it style of wine, this Sparkling Shiraz (or Syrah, in this case) is attractively packaged, but much more importantly, has the benefit of some considerable ageing – on lees (disgorged in 2011) and under cork. On days when doing extensive tastings, I always try and pick something good for later that evening. This choice was a no-brainer. An opaque maroon hue, there are notes of mocha, licorice, blueberries, chocolate and black cherries. There is some real plushness on the palate and we see the emergence of notes of plums, fruitcake, chocolate and plum pudding. Very long, and rather hedonistic, there is already some complexity evident. Still fresh and balanced, this is a really good sparkling red and should provide pleasure for another twenty years. If you like the style, get on board.
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.
