Frederick BLK 398 Old Vine Shiraz Grenache 2023
- 94
- $50
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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An enticing Barossa Valley blend, which spent time maturing in a mix of French and American oak. Opaque maroon with a dark red rim, the nose exhibits notes of chocolate, licorice, blackberries, plums, cassis, cocoa powder, coffee grinds, cloves and excellent oak integration throughout. On the palate we see more and more notes of chocolate, supported with rather delicious mocha flavours. The wine has excellent length through to very fine tannins. So much to like here. This is easily a fifteen-year proposition, and there is room for further improvement over that period.
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.
