Claymore You’ll Never Walk Alone Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2022
- 92
- $24
- Drink by: 2024-2030
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Every year, this wine causes me issues. Not the wine itself – it is always delicious drinking. But the link to the Liverpool soccer team (apparently known colloquially as the ‘mug-smashers – don’t ask me why) as it is their unofficial anthem (or possibly their official one – I have no idea). It always seems to cross my desk as the season is reaching fever pitch (fans of the glorious Gunners will see what I did there). As I write, those very same glorious Gunners sit fractionally ahead of said ‘mug-smashers’ on goal difference only, with a possibly season-defining game against Man C tonight and I am expected to wax lyrical about something glorifying the opposition? It hurts.
To the wine, a lightweight bottle, the colour is garnet red. The nose gives us alluring notes of strawberries, raspberries, spices and red fruits in general – Grenache to the fore here. Hints of warm earth, the palate sees the emergence of soft, red cherries on the palate. Fine acidity and a lingering finish. Enjoy it over the next four to six years. Dare I say, it would be the perfect way to commiserate with Liverpool fans for going ever so close again.
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.
