De Bortoli Woodfired Heathcote Tempranillo 2021
- 92
- $22
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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Largely from vineyards in the northern sector of Heathcote, the wine spent five months maturing in vats and casks after fermentation. This is terrific drinking and amazing value. Maroon purple, the nose is full of ripe and plush plum notes, milk chocolate, dried herbs and mulberries. A powerful palate with good concentration throughout. Fine tannins and lots of them, excellent length, boldness from one end to the other and black fruits emerging on the palate. The concept of ‘woodfired’ conjures thoughts of good barbecue and this wine would be absolutely perfect. Six to ten years ahead to enjoy – love it.
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.
