Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Shiraz Malbec 2017
- 96
- $130
- Drink by: 2025 - 2045
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Blass’s most famous wine, ever since the trio of Jimmy Watson wins way back in the early 70s, and it never misses a beat. A blend of joy in every way and a blend of the three varieties – 51% Cabernet, 44% Shiraz and 5% Malbec – and also of three regions – the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. It has seen 17 months in a mix of 34% new French oak, 58% older French oak and 8% American.
This sits very comfortably in the pantheon of top releases of Black Label. Black fruits, spices, cloves, black olives, cassis, chocolate and it is well structured with serious length. Abundant tannins, yet again they are almost invisible. There is complexity too, and although it is delightfully approachable at this early stage, expect it to age magnificently for many years. A great choice to put away for your unborn grandchild’s 21st!
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.
