Basileus Barossa Valley Grenache 2020
- 93
- $23
- Drink by: 2024-2030
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Apparently Basileus is Greek for Kings, or so it was once. And of course, the Barossa is the King of Australian wine regions (if one wished to be difficult, one could wonder where that leaves the Clare Valley and their Riesling, under this label, but perhaps we’ll move past that). The fruit went into small open fermenters before maturation in older French oak puncheons. The colour of this wine is crimson/garnet. The nose gives us notes of spices, strawberries, herbs, red fruits, some earthy notes and leather. This is a slightly fleshy style, which is very much from the savoury style which the region can offer. Good balance, a lingering finish and an intriguing combination of silky and sandy tannins. Enjoy this now and for the next four to six 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.
