Longview Yakka Shiraz 2021
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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2021 was a superb vintage in the Hills and this is amply reflected here. The fruit is sourced from five different blocks, all north-facing. A small percentage of whole berries is included in the ferment, which sees thrice daily pumpovers. The wine then spends a year maturing in a mix of new (just 5%) and older puncheons. Dark maroon colour, the aromas include chocolate, black olives, bay leaves, dry herbs and blackcurrants. The wine offers a soft and approachable texture, impressive length and silky tannins. The palate sees even more of those appealing chocolatey touches with hints of cigar box notes emerging. A refined and attractive cool climate style, this will continue to develop over the next half dozen years and drink well for a decade after that.
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.
