Jim Brand The Remnants Shiraz 2019
- 92
- $50
- Drink by: 2021-2036
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First impression was a little confusing – was this really something cobbled together from the remnants of whatever was left on the tasting bench? That was what the name suggested to me. Fortunately, not so. The remnants, referred to, are those of the ancient seabed which formed the limestone base on which sits the famous Coonawarra terra rossa soil. This seabed still contributes to the wonderful grapes grown here. This particular vineyard is from the northern ‘Glenroy’ sub-region, five kilometres north of the Coonawarra township. It was planted in the mid 1980’s. The grapes were crushed and destemmed into open top stainless fermenters. Cultured yeasts were added and the skins pumped over three times a day. Pressed into a mix of new and older oak to finish fermentation, then racked off lees and back into oak for 22 months, a mix of new (30% new) and second use French and American.
A dark opaque red. This is intense, dense and serious. Chocolate notes, black fruits, leather, cloves and black olives on the nose. The palate is supple, but there is power throughout, while at all times remaining well balanced. Fine tannins, good acidity and excellent length. A richly flavoured wine but, of course, very different to what one might think of as richly flavoured from the Barossa. It has many years ahead of it.
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.
