Crabtree Estate Watervale Tempranillo 2023
- 93
- $32
- Drink by: 2024-2032
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Clare Valley Tempranillo is not common fodder, but with wines like this one, it might well become so. The team describe this as fitting the Crianza style of Temp, but, even with time in French hogsheads, given its youth and exuberance, for me it probably has more resemblance to a very good Joven style. No matter. Ruby red hue. This is beautifully aromatic with notes of mulberries, cassis, spices, licorice and blackfruits. Fine tannins, good balance and excellent length. Has a good future and will provide pleasure over the next four to eight years. A good example of Tempranillo, whichever designation one prefers.
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.
