Château Tanunda Terroirs of the Barossa Marananga Shiraz 2019
- 94
- $60
- Drink by: 2021-2038
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This series is designed to reflect what some of the top sub-regions in the Barossa can offer. A terrific idea on several levels. Simply, we have some stunning drinking here, whether such things as ‘terroir’ interest you or whether you really could not care less. For those who do enjoy the geeky side of wine (admit it, I certainly do), these wines showcase what each sub-region can highlight. And as any fan of Barossa reds (and indeed, any fan of what Penfolds offer the world) can tell you, Marananga sits at the top of the tree. Others include the Eden Valley, Greenock and Ebenezer. But Marananga will give you Shiraz of great power, flavour and length. Small open fermenters used, before basket pressing, and then 18 months oak maturation. The wine is a hefty 15.5% alcohol, but it is all so well balanced that this is not the slightest problem.
The colour is black, just black. Serious aromatics follow – chocolate, blackcurrants, hints of roast meats. There is concentration here and yet it sits nicely alongside a lovely plushness. There is actually even a touch more elegance here than one would anticipate and which the nose suggests. Focus, length, very fine tannins round out this belter, as notes of leather, cocoa powder and black fruits emerge.
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.
