Mitchell Wines Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz 2017
- 92
- $30
- Drink by: 2021-2031
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A long time favourite of many red lovers, this Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz is another very fine release from the line-up, the first of which was way back with the 1984 vintage. There is a little whole bunch used in the preparation of this wine, which is presumably what contributes to the ever-so-slight brambly note it offers. Fermentation is with wild yeasts, after which the wine spends 18 months in French oak barrels before bottling.
The colour of the wine is a deep red with flickers of purple throughout. It is immediately evident that there is some complexity here. Aromas of red fruits, chocolate, spices, cloves and florals. The palate is tight, yet supple, and offers good balance throughout its very long length, finishing with slightly gritty tannins. Certainly up for drinking now but it will sail through another decade in the cellar, if you can resist.
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.
