Craneford Number No 1 Limited Edition Shiraz 2021
- 96
- $90
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This is something really special. Granted, not priced for everyday drinking, but it is a bargain when compared to many prestige releases. Again, twenty-two months maturation in oak, 20% of which was new. An opaque maroon colour, there is certainly an oak influence evident here, but it is well integrated. Everything about this wine screams quality, especially the fruit. Richly flavoured with notes of chocolate, nutmeg, hints of vanilla, coffee beans, plums, cocoa powder and blackberries. The wine is finely balanced with impressive length, with intensity running the full journey and never wavering, before finishing with sleek and silky tannins. This is perfect for fans of big, bold and richly flavoured Barossa Shiraz. A cracker.
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.
