Claymore Nirvana Reserve Shiraz 2022
- 94
- $50
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The team use their best Shiraz, from their estate vineyards in the Watervale sub-region, to craft this wine, which has seen a year and a half maturing in new French oak. Just 6,216 bottles were made. An inky opaque maroon hue, the nose exhibits notes of chocolate, florals, coffee grinds, bay leaves, roast meats, black fruits and animal skins, while the palate reveals a beautifully sweet core of more chocolate and mocha. There is good focus here, with excellent length. A pleasing plushness is ever-present, leading to sleek tannins. Lots to like here.
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.
