Parched Crow Semillon 2019
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2023-2031
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The Hunter has enjoyed some fabulous vintages in recent years and this is one of them. From the MacDonalds Flat Vineyard, planted in 1995 (if the world’s tiniest font has not misled me), this is very much in the modern style of Hunter Sem where there is flavour from the very first sip and yet the ability to age is not compromised. Very pale yellow, there is some freshly cut grass, plus stonefruit, white peaches, citrus and florals, lemon blossoms especially – delicious. The flavours are more forward than we see from old-fashioned Sems and all the better for it. Nicely balanced and with a lingering finish too. Drink for six to eight years and no doubt more.
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.
