Brokenwood Mistress Block Vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz 2023
- 95
- $150
- Drink by: 2025-2040
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As someone who has woken up next to the Mistress Block, I can confirm that it is a beautiful site, especially with a little mist (and before the mind heads down inappropriate alleys, it neighbours some very fine Hunter accommodation). The dark loam soils imbue the wines from here with more chocolatey notes than most Hunter sites and the vines are now around forty years of age. The maturation is in 100% French oak, but anything new is avoided. The fruit in this vintage was not harvested from the vineyard until 18th February, by which time most Hunter growers are already relaxing on the beach with a mojito. Crimson maroon hue, the nose gives us truffles, warm earth, coffee grinds, cherries, aromas like an Asian spice shop and dry herbs. There is good focus here, and impressive intensity, with a very long finish. Finely balanced, the tannins are ever-so-silky. On the palate, the cassis and cherry notes really come to the fore. This will drink beautifully for the next ten to fifteen 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.
