Bec Hardy Pertaringa Stage Left Merlot 2024
- 92
- $32
- Drink by: 2026-2034
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The name for this appealing Merlot has nothing to do with Shakespeare and being pursued by a bear, but rather another fictional character, Snagglepuss (okay, technically, ‘exit, stage left’ was his signature line, but surely that is enough?) Won’t that have younger wine lovers shaking their heads in bewilderment. To be accurate, the team actually adopted the name because they are aware that this particular variety never gets to take centre stage, at least in McLaren Vale (and very few other places). That doesn’t mean it can’t offer some lovely wines. This is one of them. The wine enjoyed ten months maturation in older French oak. Purple/maroon in colour, the nose exhibits notes of coffee grinds, cherries, spices, fruitcake, leather, plums, earth and black fruits. There is very good length here, through to fine, firm tannins and the wine is well balanced throughout. No reason this won’t provide pleasure over the next six to eight years. Personally, I’d have gone with Snagglepuss at the very least, if not the bear.
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.
