D’Arenberg Wild Pixie Shiraz Roussanne 2019
- 92
- $32
- Drink by: 2026-2034
Share
Not many wines on the market that already have seven years under their belt, and far fewer that are available for such a relative pittance. Terrific buying. The blend is 94% Shiraz and 6% Roussanne. The McLaren Vale region enjoyed a particularly hot vintage in 2019, but certain varieties were able to handle it very well. These are two of them. The team employ foot-treading once the fermentation is 2/3rds of the way through. Then basket pressing into old French oak to finish fermentation and for a period of maturation on lees. Deep blood red in colour with a ruby rim, the maturity here is definitely evident. We have notes of toasty oak, smoked meats, warm earth, black fruits, soy, chocolate, licorice, coffee grinds and spices. The style is a little rustic and the wine of medium length, finishing with fine tannins. An ideal gourmet barbecue style which will provide pleasure for the next six to eight years, although is more than ready now.
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.
