First Ridge Barbera 2023
- 93
- $45
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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From an elevated single vineyard in the Mudgee region in NSW, this is maroon/purple in colour. A most appealingly generous style, there is a delightful plushness to the wine. Notes of mocha, coffee beans, black fruits, aniseed, beef stock and dry herbs weave throughout. The chocolate really comes out on the palate. A subtle and seductive texture leading to sleek tannins, the wine has impressive length and should drink beautifully for the next eight years.
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.
