Ladbroke Grove Cabernet Merlot 2014
- 93
- $25
- Drink by: 2023-2026
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A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, all from Coonawarra, with considerable age already under its belt and at an amazing price. A blend of three vineyards, the wine was matured for 22 months in a mix of new and second use French oak barrels. There is a hint of fading red on the very rim of the wine but otherwise, carrying its age superbly. Notes of tobacco leaves, black currants, coffee grinds, dry herbs, cloves, warm earth and some fungal/mushroom notes. Ready now but it can sit for a few more years in the cellar if one prefers. The palate shows the full range of favours with silky tannins and seriously good length.
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.
