K1 by Geoff Hardy Middle Hill Shiraz 2022
- 94
- $30
- Drink by: 2025-2040
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From the Kuitpo sub-region of the Adelaide Hills, this is under Diam. It is called the Middle Hill Shiraz because it comes from the middle hill in their K1 vineyard. Perhaps not the most thrilling and romantic reason for a wine name, but there you have it. What you also have is a wine of seriously good value. Maturation is for the best part of a year and a half in French oak, a significant portion of it new. Adelaide Hills Shiraz rarely gets the accolades it deserves and wines like this show why that is so unjust. I know, you’ll say what about all the medals the region garners but arrange a Shiraz lunch with your wine-loving mates and see how many turn up with an Adelaide Hills example. Their loss. A dark maroon hue, there is very good oak integration here. The nose reveals notes of plums, cassis, spices, leather, coffee beans, cocoa powder, blackberries and mocha. The wine is generous and approachable with a sleek and slippery texture. Good balance and serious length, through to silky tannins, the palate sees the emergence of more chocolate notes. It should drink beautifully for ten to fifteen years. Surely, at this price, you can’t find a reason not to put a case in your cellar.
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.
