Dowie Doole Cali Road Shiraz 2022
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2038
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The fruit here comes from the California Road Vineyard in the McLaren Vale sub-region of Tatachilla (yes, technically McLaren Vale does not have strictly defined sub-regions according to regulations, so we are talking in general – small “s” sub-regions, if you prefer). The vineyard was planted in the year 2000, and maturation was in American oak hogsheads for three years, half of which were new. Dark red/maroon in hue, there is still lashings of oak in the process of integration, as one might expect. The nose also gives us notes of chocolate, coffee beans, mocha, cocoa powder, blackberries, dried herbs, cloves and leather, while the palate has a sweet core of that chocolate and touches of vanilla. Seamless on the palate through to sleek tannins, there is good length here. Quite a plush and generous style which will provide much pleasure over the next ten to twelve years, longer if you have the patience, though I’d be inclined to give it three to four years before opening, just to give that oak a chance to finish integrating.
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.
