Nightfall Norma The Benchmark Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- 96
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2046
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Another in the Nightfall series from this highly regarded Coonawarra vintage. This is a bit special. Very dark maroon with a magenta rim, the nose gives us aromas weaving through tobacco leaves, mocha, aniseed, plums, chocolate, coffee beans, charcuterie and cassis. The oak integration is perfectly handled and there is a flick of vanilla contributing. Abundant powdery tannins are found on the very long finish. The wine is concentrated and well balanced and really does have serious length. A wine for the long haul. We see cocoa powder really take to the fore on the palate. It will provide enormous pleasure over the next twenty years.
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.
