Château Tanunda Old Vine Cabernet Shiraz 2023
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2025-2037
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The Estate is celebrating its 135th anniversary in 2025, a remarkable achievement, and as part of that, they have introduced a new range, their Old Vines expression (it was not as though they were short of different ranges already, but, as they say in the classics, too much of a good thing is never enough). A 57/43 blend, after basket pressing, the wine matures in French oak for a year and a half. A dark garnet/maroon hue here, with a wonderfully evocative nose. There are notes of dried herbs, aniseed, beef stock, smoked meats, blackberries, leather, aniseed and cold tea. The palate offers focus, concentration and abundant but very fine tannins. Impressive length here and the intensity never wavers from start to finish. There is a touch of vegemite on the palate and it is immediately evident that the oak is immaculately integrated. Expect this to provide pleasure for at least the next ten to twelve years, and for it to improve further during that time.
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.
