Pertaringa Belonging to the Hills Shiraz McLaren Vale 2021
- 96
- $60
- Drink by: 2023-2038
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Here we have a bit of a conundrum. The ‘standard’ is not supposed to top the ‘Reserve’, but for me, it did. Sure, not much in it and I loved them both, but I guess that what it does is make this even better buying. Made with small batch open fermenters and followed by fifteen months maturation in a mix of new and older French oak. Opaque maroon hue, this is big, bold and beautiful with the plushness of a top-notch McLaren Vale Shiraz. Chocolate, florals, cassis, coffee beans and tobacco leaves with a hint of leather. This is supple, dense, immaculately balanced and offering great length throughout while the intensity never waivers. Utterly delicious and drink now and over the next eight to fifteen years. Whichever is your pick of the trio of ‘belonging to the hills’ from Pertaringa, you will not be disappointed.
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.
