Heirloom Touriga McLaren Vale 2023
- 94
- $40
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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Touriga seems like one of those grapes destined to be a curiosity and yet, there seems no reason that it is not ideally suited to certain Aussie conditions, like McLaren Vale. It is the top grape in Portugal, so expect to see more of it here. This is a fabulous introduction if it is something with which you are unfamiliar. From the Willunga region of McLaren Vale, bunch sorting, natural fermentation and basket pressing before nine months in French oak barriques. An inky dark magenta hue, the nose immediately offers big, bold black cherry notes. There is an aroma reminiscent of black jellybeans, with chocolate, aniseed, cassis and dry herbs. This has incredible length with a soft and supple texture, excellent intensity and impressive extraction. Balanced but bold. Enjoy over the next six to ten years. The best Aussie version of Touriga I have seen. The score may seem high and not the sort of thing one does with curiosities, but surely it is worth it.
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.
