Aramis The Heir Syrah McLaren Vale 2017
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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This vintage may not match its legendary predecessor, but this wine certainly exceeds vintage expectations. Near black with purple rims, the nose is all about licorice, chocolate, axle grease (in a good way), blackberries, tar, soy and beef stock. There is impressive oak integration, decent length, good focus, freshness and fine tannins. Quite bright, this will drink well over the next decade. The vintage might not have the intensity of ’16, but the wine is delicious.
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.
