Château Tanunda 150 Year Old Vines 1858 Field Blend 2018
- 96
- $500
- Drink by: 2023-2038
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This is a fascinating wine. The vineyard was planted in 1858 (so considerably older than the mere 150 years noted). The vineyard, a small block in Springton in the Eden Valley, offers what is termed a ‘field blend’, a mix of varieties. Hence, this is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Malbec. The yield is just over one ton for the entire vineyard, in good years – and 2018 is nothing if not a very good year. Two years maturation in top-notch French oak. At this age, the vines are known as Ancestor vines. Deep maroon hue, the nose is fleshy with mulberries, leather, roast meats and root vegetable notes. Plenty of oak is still evident here, though it is on the path to full integration. Warm earth, tobacco leaves and cigar box characters. Ripe, plush and balanced, there is already complexity evident. With fine tannins and great length, this should continue to offer pleasure for at least 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.
