Arila Gardens Ironstone and Quartz Gardens Shiraz 2021
- 95
- $85
- Drink by: 2022-2032
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Another single vineyard wine from the Estate. The fruit used from this vineyard for this wine might vary a little each year as the decision is made based on what comes up trumps (if one may use that word in accordance with its former and non-controversial meaning). Similar process for this wine as for the Sand Gardens Grenache, though with fermentation just ten days and 25% of the oak new.
Opaque purple/magenta hue. Saturated flavours throughout, a classic Barossa Shiraz. Intense, with some serious extract, notes of chocolate, smoked meats, mocha, licorice, cassis and more. Powerful, brooding and coiled, it is lovely now but there is every indication that this wine will emerge in all its glory, even more impressive, in time. Has ten years and more for that. Dense, fine silky tannins, great length and good acidity. When I looked back at my notes for the 2020, I was a little surprised to see I had ranked it even higher, but I am sure that given time, this will be a case of the tortoise and the hare and the ’21 is likely to top it in time.
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.
