Clarnette Clarnette & Ludvigsen Reserve Shiraz 2017
- 93
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2034
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The Estate’s Reserve Shiraz has already enjoyed an extended period in their cellar, something we all love to see. The team look at this as the “essence of Shiraz”. Maturation was for fifteen months in new French oak hogsheads, and the fruit is from the specified vineyard in the Grampians. A deep red core with a ruby rim, there is oak still evident as integration proceeds ever so incrementally. Aromas weave through notes of chocolate, smoked meats, coffee grinds, dried fruit characters and aniseed. There is a supple and seamless texture here and the wine is of medium to good length, finishing with fine tannins. It will continue to impress over the next six to eight 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.
