Haselgrove Protector McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 93
- $40
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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When it comes to the name, ‘Protector’, we are still dealing with Hazel twigs and the mythical beliefs of protection they can offer. The fruit came from two discrete sites in McLaren Vale. After fermentation, it was pressed into a mix of new and older French oak for sixteen months maturation. Dark maroon hue. The nose reveals plenty of oak influence, but it is integrating well, and the wine will be even better in twelve months. There are notes of chocolate, blackcurrants, cold tea, bergamot, dried herbs, bay leaves and coffee grinds, but it is the chocolate which is to the fore. The wine is balanced, with impressive length and sleek tannins. There is serious promise here and we can expect this to drink beautifully for the next eight to ten 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.
