Greenock Creek Mataro 2020
- 92
- $32
- Drink by: 2021-2028
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This fine example of a varietal mataro is from the Seppeltsfield sub-region of the Barossa, in particular from the Radford Road vineyard. The cuttings came from old vines planted near Marananga, planted as bush vines in 2000. It receives an extended period in American oak. This is a really enjoyable wine and a fine example of something we rarely see as a straight varietal, but if one is to be honest, it probably speaks to why this grape is such a useful blending component.
Deep purple in colour, the nose is more earth and tar than bright fruits. A brooding style of wine, if ever you wanted one. Chocolate, axle grease (in a good way), black cherries and leather emerge. There is real intensity here and the tannins are perhaps more chunky than silky. This power and the intense flavours are exactly why small quantities work so well in the right blend, but then for some, too much of a good thing is never enough. The palate shows some unexpected floral notes. This is a ripe, solid and well balanced offering of decent length.
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.
