Hobbs Tin Lids Aria Secca 2023
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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This is a wine which will appeal to two (undoubtedly overlapping) groups – wine geeks and winelovers. It is a delicious drink, but what will fascinate the geeks (and I do not use that term pejoratively in any sense, as I consider myself a fully paid up member), is that it is an appassimento style Shiraz (think Amarone). The handpicked grapes are laid out over racks to allow them to (semi) dry – different timing to the extent of the drying every year – and thereby concentrate the sugars within the grape and intensify the flavours. Wild fermentation and daily hand-plunging are used. The result is a lovely and rather exotic style, absolutely chock full of flavour. A crimson magenta hue, though it really is very dark, the wine is big and bold exhibiting cassis, mulberries, chocolate and black fruits, with a touch of earth and graphite swirling throughout. Despite the obvious plushness, there is a line of fine acidity and good freshness. Indeed, it is a surprise as to just how delightfully fresh the wine is. Silky tannins are found on the persistent finish. A wine with a future – at least six to eight years. Delicious. Don’t miss 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.
