Mitchell Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz 2018
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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As it always is, this is a popular release, offering value and flavour. From a fine vintage, and given the benefit of several years ageing before release, the fruit from the vineyard is largely destemmed, but there is a component of whole bunches. Natural fermentation in open slate fermenters, the wine then spends 18 months in French oak puncheons. Deep magenta in colour, the nose offers notes of cloves, leather, spices, black fruits, dry herbs and a hint of dark chocolate. Real depth of flavour here, this is a fine Clare Shiraz. Good concentration, poised balance and excellent length, there are very fine tannins with more chocolate notes emerging. This has a good decade ahead of it, but lots to enjoy over that time.
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.
