Elderton Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- 94
- $140
- Drink by: 2024-2036
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This block of Cabernet was originally planted in the 1940s. It looked a bit grim when the plan was to remove it for higher yielding vines, but the Ashmead family ensured its survival and they reap the rewards today. This is now the 22nd release of the wine. Maturation was in new and older French oak for a year and a half. The colour here is a deep, dark magenta. A rich and powerful Cabernet from a very fine year. The nose exhibits notes of tobacco leaves, dried herbs, coffee grinds, mocha, licorice and chocolate. Good concentration, the structure offers direction and focus, with power and a firm, long finish. A superbly crafted wine, though the tannins are still quite grippy at this early stage. Drink now and for twelve years, over which period of time there is plenty of room for further improvement.
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.
