Château Tanunda The Château Bethanian Shiraz 2023
- 93
- $40
- Drink by: 2025-2037
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So named as it hails from the sandy loam soils on Bethany Creek (Bethanian is the name used by some locals when they refer this, the oldest settlement in the Barossa – we are talking the 1840s). The wine spent eighteen months in a mix of French and American oak, both new and older. Just 1,000 cases. A maroon hue, the nose reveals notes of florals, black fruits, coffee grinds, chocolate, bay leaves, spices, soy and sarsaparilla. Even a touch of blueberries emerges with time in the glass. There is juicy acidity, sleek tannins, good focus and very good length here. A wine of bright flavours, this is an attractive single vineyard Shiraz, which will provide delicious drinking for the next ten to twelve 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.
