Arila Gardens Moppa Shiraz 2023
- 93
- $45
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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From the Arila Gardens vineyards on Moppa Road in the Barossa, a small percentage of whole bunches were included in the ferment, the remainder whole berries. Maturation was for sixteen months in older French oak hogsheads. The colour here is purple/maroon. We have aromas of chocolate, coffee beans, mocha, a hint of bitter almond adding complexity, black fruits, sage, warm earth, blackcurrants and soy. This is still youthful and really would benefit from some time in the cellar before opening. Fine balance, sleek tannins and very good length to finish. If you can leave it for two to three years, it will reward, and then it will continue to be enjoyable for at least the following five to eight years.
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.
