Lienert Tirzah the Malbec 2020
- 90
- $28
- Drink by: 2022-2026
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The team at Lienert, brothers John and James, have named their little piece of the Barossa as ‘Tierra del Puerco’, a nod to its history as one of this country’s finest pig studs. Malbec is perhaps not the first grape one thinks of when looking at Barossa reds, but on the evidence of this wine, it would not be a bad idea for us to be seeing more of it. It has a place.
This is powerful and slightly rustic, an old-fashioned style. Dark maroon in colour, there are notes of dry herbs, animal hides, mushrooms, dark fruits, dry vegetation and even a touch of woodsmoke. This is perfect for pizza night in front of the footy thanks to its slippery texture on the palate, good length and silky tannins. Enjoyable now, but will also take a few years in the 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.
