Gibson Wines ‘The Dirtman’ Shiraz 2019
- 94
- $39
- Drink by: 2021 - 2027
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The name, ‘Dirtman’, is a nod to the well known and highly respected Rob Gibson, the man behind the label – as well as being one of his nicknames (my first thought was that it might be a tribute to some sort of Mafia hitman and his disposal habits).
This is sourced from both the Barossa and Eden Valleys (the exact split is not provided but I’d be guessing predominantly Barossa) and spent 18 months in a mix of new and older American oak hogsheads. At $39, it is tremendous value.
Purples and very dark reds. There is that utterly decadent plushness one sees in really good Barossa Shiraz, in spades. Plums, black cherries, coffee beans, a touch of toasty oak with some vanillin spices, but it is in no way intrusive, plus mulberries too. Imagine the smell from crushing a handful of mixed berries in your fist as they drip out. Supple and satiny, it shows mouthcoating tannins, but they are ever so soft, and then finishing with seriously good length. Juicy flavours and a solid future, but really delicious now. Love it.
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.
