Hare’s Chase Marananga Cabernet Shiraz 2017
- 90
- $38
- Drink by: 2021 - 2027
Share
The classic Aussie red blend of cabernet and shiraz, from the most traditional of regions, the Barossa. What could be more Australian than that? Even more so, it hails from the sub-region of Marananga, from the winery’s own estate plantings, which is prized for its red varieties, especially these two.
Winemaker Matt Reynolds has combined 87% cabernet and 13% shiraz (so he could have called it a straight cab had he wished to do so, under our strange regulations). The grapes were crushed into open top fermenters, with a manual pumpover, twice daily. 18 months aging in a mix of French and American barriques and hogsheads (15% new and 85% seasoned).
The colour is of a deep earthy red and the aroma follows suit, deep and earthy. This is a rich and robust, warm, old-fashioned style of Barossa red and should be immensely popular. For older drinkers, it will bring back many fond memories and for younger ones, provide an insight into what has appealed about the reds from here for so long. Coffee grind notes, chocolate on the palate. Decent length. Dark fruits. Plenty of firm tannins obvious here. Good future. This is a big, full-flavoured style.
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.
