Hewitson Madame M Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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Cabernet is rarely front of mind when we’re thinking of Barossa reds, but it has been around for a very long time and made a great many wonderful wines. They may not resemble what we see from Bordeaux or Margaret River, but they never lack flavour. The aim of the team here is “big bold and beautiful”. Maturation is in older French oak barriques. The colour is an opaque maroon. The nose reveals aromas of kirsch, tobacco leaves, spices, sage, dried herbs and dark fruits. There is gentle oak integration, and the style is seamless, bright and energetic. The wine is balanced and fresh throughout, offering very good length. The gentle fade with satiny tannins finishes things. Enjoy for the next eight to ten 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.
