JJ Hahn Hermann’s Vineyard Shiraz 2023
- 92
- $35
- Drink by: 2024-2034
Share
Whole berries are fermented here before a maturation period of fourteen months in an evenly divided mix of French and American oak. The colour here is a deep magenta, while the nose exhibits notes of warm, dusty roads, black cherries, bay leaves, ripe plums and dark chocolate. This is a silky, finely rendered Shiraz, with a supple texture and very good length. The palate sees those bright, black cherries really come to the fore while there is a fine line of acidity running the length. This wine is an eight to ten year proposition, over which time it will surely improve further.
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.
