Ladbroke Grove Cloverleaf Merlot 2014
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2023-2028
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Not often one sees a current release Aussie red that already has almost a decade under its belt, especially from such a respected region as Coonawarra, and at a price like this. This wine is from a vineyard on the famous V & A Lane. Fermentation was in a mix of open top and static fermenters, with maturation for 22 months in new and second fill French oak barrels. A pale garnet hue. This is a pleasing mature Coonawarra Merlot. Hints of plum pudding, black fruits, warm earth, cigar box notes, coffee grinds and plums. The palate lifts and reveals a sweet core of fruit with notes of Christmas cake and blackberries with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Drink now for another three to five 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.
