d’Arenberg The Sensorial Surfer Fiano 2021
- 89
- $25
- Drink by: 2021-2023
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McLaren Vale’s premier winery has an extraordinary array of wines and they just keep coming. Somehow, Chester Osborn finds time to give them all names and each has a logical reason (at least in Chester’s mind) for why. This one? Well, according to Chester, McLaren Vale has some of Australia’s best surf (really?) and one sip of this wine will have your “neurons surfing sensorial, synaptic brainwaves”. I am not making that up.
Fiano is proving itself ideally suited to McLaren Vale and this wine, from their Organic range, is simply more compelling evidence of that. Small batches are gently crushed, basket-pressed and fermented in stainless steel.
Aromas include almonds, nuts, stone fruit, florals and there even appears to be a hint of lime. The palate is soft and supple while the length is decent without being extreme. This is one to enjoy over the next year or two. A fine Fiano.
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.
