Atze’s Corner Bachelor Barossa Valley Shiraz 2023
- 92
- $35
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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Named after a much-loved local bachelor, Bert Kleining, who tended vines in the Barossa Valley for many years, this is an appealing example of Barossa Shiraz. The fruit is sourced from the Koonunga and Ebenezer sub-regions. Maturation was for twenty-two months in a mix of 30% new French oak, with the remainder being older French and American oak hogsheads. Deep garnet in colour, there is quite an attractive plushness here. The nose gives us aromas of plums, chocolate, black fruits, spices and a little toast from the oak integration. A line of fine acidity, the wine has good length and brightness throughout, finishing with satiny tannins. A ten-year proposition.
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.
