Ox Hardy Fiano Upper Tintara Vineyard 2022
- 92
- $27
- Drink by: 2022-2027
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Fiano continues to make strides in this country and McLaren Vale is proving to be the ideal home for this Italian white. 2022 is another excellent vintage for the region, so this is the perfect time to explore this variety if it is not already on your radar. The grapes here come from a Blewitt Springs vineyard which was purchased in the 1870s by Andrew Hardy’s (the ‘Ox’ is a longstanding nickname) great-great-grandfather. The Fiano vines are not quite that ancient, planted by Andrew and his father in 2011. The grapes are harvested in the cool of the early morning, pressed, before the juice is pumped into stainless steel tanks for a fermentation, which lasts around a month with weekly lees stirring. The wine is bright and clear with good acidity carrying flavours the full journey. Citrus, grapefruit pith, florals and hints of green apples, with a minerally background. The textural element, as it so often is with this variety, is a highlight here. Good length and a balanced finish so drink now and for three to five 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.
