Greenock Creek Fifteen Claims Shiraz 2023
- 97
- $120
- Drink by: 2026-2046
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This wine is named after the fifteen gold claims which were struck in the Moppa sub-region of the Barossa Valley, more specifically over this property. It worked out neatly as there are just fifteen rows of vines on this small site. There are a mix of Shiraz clones here and the yield is kept low, usually 1 to 1½ tonnes per acre. The wine undergoes a cold fermentation in slate fermenters before basket pressing into French oak for a period of a year and a half for maturation. 1/3rd of that oak is new and all of it comes from the famous Sylvain coopers. 1,600 bottles. Under cork. Black/magenta in hue, the deftly handled oak is still apparent, but integration is proceeding immaculately. On the nose we have notes of cassis, chocolate, mocha, blackberries and coffee beans. This is plush, generous and approachable, while remaining finely balanced with a seductive texture. Great intensity and yet it still shows a touch of refinement. The wine has brilliant length. The palate shows hints of truffles emerging towards the finish and there is a pleasing note of savouriness to the wine. Love it. Twenty 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.
