Haselgrove Switch Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2019
- 93
- $40
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The classic Rhône blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, done McLaren Vale style. The name comes from the idea that in times gone by, twigs from the Hazel tree were used to protect one from evil and also water divination. A switch is a bundle of such twigs, and here we have the bundle of grapes – I’ve heard worse justifications for a name. The grapes are from two parcels of Grenache, four of Shiraz and a single parcel of Mourvèdre, from around McLaren Vale, all contributing different aspects to the final wine. Crushed to open fermenters, hand plunged thrice daily and then fermented on skins for ten days. Pressed to oak, 10% new French, for a year. In terms of the Haselgrove GSM blends, this is a step-up. There are spicy notes, but it is the black cherries, blackberries, chocolate, cocoa powder and coffee grinds that stand out. Good acidity here, this is a seriously moreish wine with good length and fine balance.
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.
