Beresford McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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The wine spent twelve months maturing in a mix of French and American oak. It is a timely reminder that while Cabernet Sauvignon may traditionally come from cooler climes, warmer regions can provide a style which is thoroughly enjoyable. That said, the Blewett Springs sub-region which provided the grapes is certainly one of the cooler parts of McLaren Vale. Maturation is usually a mix of American and French oak. 20% of the wine will see around fourteen months in older American oak hogsheads, 10% in new French, with the remainder in older French oak hogsheads. Dark red with a magenta rim, there are gentle vanillin/sandalwood oak notes evident, but integration is proceeding well. Aromas weave through blackberries, smoked meats, pepper, animal skins, bay leaves and chocolate. Quite a fleshy style with a firm finish, there is good focus and length here and the wine finishes with solid tannins. It will provide pleasure for ten to fifteen years and there is room for further improvement during that period.
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.
