John Hill Wines McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023
- 94
- $230
- Drink by: 2025-2039
Share
John Hill was the bosun on the HMS Buffalo, which arrived as part of the establishment of the colony of South Australia in 1836. Leon Hill, the founder of this McLaren Vale winery, is a descendent of John. The wine is under cork. Dark maroon hue for this superb McLaren Vale red. It is bright and bold, a fine example of warm climate Shiraz. Richly flavoured, it is chockful of notes of coffee beans, chocolate, licorice, florals, plums and blackberries. Good oak, still in the process of integration, but all is proceeding well. That said, this will be even better in twelve months. A plush texture, good intensity, serious length and fine tannins – everything is in place for a long life. Enjoy this over the next ten to fifteen 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.
