Heirloom Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- 92
- $40
- Drink by: 2021-2027
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The grapes were sorted by the bunch before naturally fermenting in open vats. Basket pressing and then into oak barriques, including 30% new American. The colour here is a dark forbidding purple. As one might expect from Cabernet from this traditionally great region, this is serious stuff. Intense, coiled power and a formal structure. Notes of black fruits, leather, tar, mint, cigar boxes, dried herbs and black olives. There is mouth-puckering grip and firm tannins. Good length too, and punch. For me, this is simply not ready as yet. Cellar a case for five or six years and you will be amply rewarded. For me, there is room for serious improvement (which sounds like all my old report cards) and when that happens, expect the rating to climb.
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.
