Balancing Heart ‘Ambrosial and Lush’ Sagrantino 2017
- 89
- $49
- Drink by: 2022 - 2025
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Balancing Heart is a relatively new face on the Granite Belt, situated at the southern end. A visit there a few years ago suggested that this would be a winery to make some waves in time and they are starting to do that. Mike Hayes, one of Queensland’s best and most highly respected winemakers, is doing the work for them. The labels are attractive and all have the slightly weird names, so if that is off-putting beware. But forget that and try the wines.
This is a slightly obscure and always interesting variety from Umbria in Italy. Dark red in colour with lots of red fruit notes; a hint of red apple, some raspberry then intertwined with smoked meat notes. A flick of acidity and some solid tannins with good grip here too. It has power, lots of flavour and length. For me, it will be better in 2-3 years but certainly worth a look now.
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.
