Elderton Ashmead Family Reserve #3 Shiraz 2024
- 96
- $90
- Drink by: 2025-2045
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Made from ancestor vines from Block 19 of the family vineyards at Nuriootpa, the wine spent fourteen months maturing in new American oak. A deep maroon colour, it is immediately obvious that there is serious power behind this wine. It is approachable and generous with aromas weaving through mocha, blackberries, coffee beans, chocolate, cassis, dried herbs, aniseed and soy. There is still considerable oak evident here, but it is quality oak and integration is proceeding well. The wine is seamless from start to finish with a plush and seductive texture, through to silky tannins. There is good focus and seriously impressive length. An utterly compelling example of a cracking Barossa Shiraz. Fifteen to twenty years without a hiccup lies ahead.
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.
