Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz 2021
- 96
- $150
- Drink by: 2030-2029
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The same vineyard as for the wonderful Semillon we encountered earlier, but this is from the original plantings of Shiraz, from 1920. From what winemakers like to call a challenging vintage. Three to four days cold soaking, followed by four to five days fermenting. Maturation was in 100% French, none of it new. A wonderfully vibrant maroon (the sort of maroon that would even delight a Queensland Origin fan). There is a softness and plushness to this wine which is immensely appealing. Cherries, black fruits, spices, warm earth, a hint of cassis – such an alluring nose. Seamless and balanced with very fine, silky tannins with such focus and yet such generosity of flavour. This has excellent length, a huge future here. This is a star and will surely last another ten to fifteen years with ease.
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.
