Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
- 91
- $40
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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For those concerned that the NRA might be setting up branches in McLaren Vale, fear not. The name comes from the vineyard which is located on the corner of Rifle Range and Hunt Roads. This is a stunning vintage and we can expect many very fine wines from it over the next few years. This one spent 19 months in French hogsheads, 20% new. Inky black/maroon in colour, it is an earthy, slightly edgy style with notes of cloves, bay leaves, black fruits, spices, animal hides and woodsmoke. Seamless in style with good intensity throughout, there are very fine tannins here. This has a decade ahead of it and, while enjoyable now, I have no doubt that it will merit a higher score in the years to come.
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.
