Di Fabio Cabernets McLaren Vale 2019
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2032
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A fine McLaren Vale Cabernet (and friends) from a single vineyard, it has the benefit of a number of years in the cellar already under its belt. Maturation was in French oak, a mix of new and older. The wine has some maturity and complexity already evident. Dark maroon with a russet rim, this is very much from the savoury end of the spectrum with an earthiness, along with notes of mushrooms, warm soil, coffee grinds, black fruits, animal flesh and aniseed. There is some oak apparent, but it merely adds to the overall impression of complexity. Of medium to good length, the wine finishes with sleek tannins. An attractive style with good balance, it will provide pleasure over the next half dozen years, longer if needs be.
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.
