Brand & Sons Sanctuary Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
- 97
- $150
- Drink by: 2025-2050
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This wine combines the best Cabernet from a range of Coonawarra vineyards accessible to the family. These vineyards were largely planted around 1985. 2021 was a stellar vintage for the region and this meant that, instead of the intended twenty months maturation, the wine received twenty-four, from a range of coopers. The final wine was a barrel selection from the very best. Under Diam, only 150 dozen were made. This is the fifth release of the Sanctuary. An inky black hue with maroon on the rim, the wine exhibits notes of chocolate, axle grease, cloves, blackberries, soy, smoked meats, mint and mocha. This is a stunning example of what can be achieved in this region. There is juicy, mouthwatering acidity, exquisite balance, serious length and satiny tannins. The oak is fully and beautifully integrated. Expect this to drink magnificently over the next fifteen to twenty-five years, possibly even longer.
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.
