Briar Ridge Ampelus Syrah Tempranillo 2024
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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The second release of this wine, a blend of Shiraz and Tempranillo from their Tallavera Grove vineyard in the Hunter Valley. The Saignée process has been employed, to bleed off some of the juice and concentrate the rest. Carbonic maceration was used with the Tempranillo, followed by co-fermentation and maturation in amphorae. A dark magenta colour, we have notes of truffles, smoked meats, warm earth, chocolate and spices with savoury aspects emerging, especially on the palate. The structure is seamless and the intensity maintained for the full journey. The wine finishes with sleek tannins and very good length. It will surely prove to be very attractive drinking over the next six to eight years.
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.
