Longview Vista Shiraz Barbera 2022
- 92
- $23
- Drink by: 2023-2031
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For this release, the two varieties were co-fermented. Normally this does not happen, or at least not so effortlessly, but the grapes all ripened at the same time, making it possible. The wine is a blend of 73% Shiraz and 23% Barbera. A cool fermentation takes place in open tanks for eleven days, before maturation in old French hogsheads and puncheons for eight months. This is the best ‘Vista’ I can recall. A vibrant magenta, this is quite rich and even a little bit thrilling on the nose. Chocolate, leather, cloves and plums, there is good direction and excellent length. Focused and taut, while maintaining intensity, the wine has very fine tannins. Fresh and youthful, it should provide enjoyment over the next six to eight years. It drinks better than plenty of wines twice the price.
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.
