Chateau Yaldara Grand Cuvée Cabernet Shiraz 2018
- 95
- $200
- Drink by: 2022-2032
Share
Wow, serious stuff here. This is the classic Aussie blend of Cabernet and Shiraz done Barossa style. No shrinking violets here, but that does not mean that things are not in balance – they certainly are. The wine is inky dark maroon with notes of cigar boxes/tobacco leaves, dark berries, cocoa powder, chocolate, coffee beans and cassis. There is a very gentle influence of oak present but has melded well and is very much a positive. Quite muscular in style, this hails from an excellent vintage, and shows powdery tannins, focus and length. A terrifically impressive example of a Barossa blend, this has at least ten years ahead of it if you prefer to take that route.
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.
