Head Red Shiraz 2023
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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The barrels used here were largely ex-Chardonnay, which is an interesting twist. The vineyards which provided the fruit – there were ten of them – are mostly higher altitude vineyards in the Eden Valley (60%) with the rest from the Barossa (40%). The vines are between 15 and 80 years of age. The wine includes 1% Viognier, which was co-fermented. Maturation was for a year and a half, with 5% of the wine doing time in new French barrels. A plum/purple hue, the nose is redolent of black cherries, graphite, cocoa powder, black fruits and ripe plums. Alluring perfumes abound. There is a line of fine acidity, good balance, a sleek texture and real persistence. The palate sees the emergence of dark chocolate and smoked meats. Love it. A ten year proposition. This is such great buying.
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.
