Mitchelton Shiraz 2019
- 91
- $25
- Drink by: 2021 - 2028
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Mitchelton has always felt a bit like the newcomer to the Goulburn Valley region, when compared to its venerable old neighbour, Chateau Tahbilk. So it comes as a bit of a surprise to realise it has been in operation for more than fifty years. Shiraz and marsanne are the grapes most associated with this district and there is no question that they having been doing both very well for many years. Mitchelton wining the 1991 Jimmy Watson Trophy with what would become their 1990 Print Shiraz is evidence of that – all the more impressive as 1990 was a stellar vintage around the nation, so competition was fierce.
This is their ‘standard’, not the Print, but shows that they are capable of exemplary wines at all levels. There is a hint of oak here and the wine is fresh, redolent of bright florals with red fruits, cloves, a hint of sage, more dried herbs plus some savoury notes. Medium bodied with good length and fine tannins, this should age well but is impressive drinking now. It finishes with a hint of cinnamony oak to round out a good package.
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.
