Château Tanunda The Château Bethanian Shiraz 2020
- 94
- $40
- Drink by: 2022-2032
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I’ll confess, I’d never heard the word ‘Bethanian’ previously but, apparently, some Barossa locals use the term for the venerable old settlement of Bethany (settled back in the 1840s). Whatever the thinking behind this, Bethany (or Bethanian) is also a well-known and highly regarded sub-region of the Barossa. After destemming, the grapes spent a week on skins in small open top fermenters, before fermentation was allowed to begin. This wine then saw a single pressing of the Shiraz grapes, which are from a single vineyard, in a basket press, before 18 months maturation in a mix of French and American oak barrels, both new and seasoned. Needless to say, the wine offers everything you’d expect.
Dark maroon in colour, this is rich, with dry herbs, earthy notes (imagine a handful of freshly dug Barossa dirt trickling through your fingers) while full of chocolate and black fruit aromas. Vinous mud cake, anyone? Classic Barossa. There is oak evident but it is well integrated, although a touch toasty still, which suits the wine perfectly. Good concentration here, with a seductive texture, through to silky tannins with black olive notes coming through on a very long finish. This wine will drink superbly for at least a decade.
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.
