Henschke Five Shillings Shiraz Mataro 2022
- 94
- $36
- Drink by: 2023-2035
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A Shiraz Mataro blend from the Barossa, this is amazing value. A 78/22 split, it is a crimson purple hue with an explosive nose – stunning stuff. Fruit that weaves through blackberries, plums, mulberries and even blueberries, there are notes of aniseed, chocolate, bay leaves, soy and beef stock. It was matured in seasoned French oak hogsheads for 8 months, but the oak is hardly evident, so well has it meshed. A long, lingering finish too, carried by vibrant acidity, with very fine tannins. There is ripeness and plushness here so delicious to drink for the next 10 to 12 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.
