Bethany Barossa Shiraz JGS 2022
- 93
- $35
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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A fine Barossa Shiraz from one of the oldest and most respected producers in the region, with the added benefit of it coming from a cracking vintage. JGS stands for Johann Gottlob Schrapel, who established the first settlement in the Barossa at Bethany in 1844, after arriving by ox cart and planting his first vineyards in 1852. A nice tribute, the family still run Bethany Wines. The colour is crimson/magenta and the nose offers earthy notes, florals, raspberries, cherries with rose petals, vanilla and cassis. A hint of meaty savouriness, as we move to the palate. This is soft, appealing with very silky tannins and hints of root vegetables emerge with time. A fine line of acidity, the wine is focused, seamless and with very good length. Eight to ten years. You have to wonder if Johann Gottlob ever thought the family would be making wines of this calibre.
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.
