Curator Marananga Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 94
- $65
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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This wine sees only French oak hogsheads, around half of them new, for a year and a half. A fine example of how warm climate Cabernet can be utterly delicious, even if it does not resemble the more traditional styles. Under Diam. Inky dark hue, the aromas offer notes of cigar boxes, cassis, blackberries, coffee beans and mocha. There is a sweet core of choc/cherry, which centres the wine. Supple and seamless with a fine line of acidity, good balance and medium to good length, the oak is deftly handled. This is very much a crowd-pleaser. The palate sees the emergence of notes of cold tea, more chocolate, black fruits and cassis. Ideally, squirrel this away for the next three to five years and then enjoy over the following decade.
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.
