Pertaringa Understudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- 92
- $32
- Drink by: 2025-2035
Share
Cabernet from a cooler vintage in a region such as McLaren Vale can do really well. The fruit used here hails from a range of vineyards in the region, and the wine spent fifteen months in French oak for maturation, a mix of new and older. A purple maroon hue, the wine is still a little closed at this early stage, but has good promise. Firm and powerful, the nose gives us notes of blackcurrants, bay leaves, plums, mocha, coffee beans, cloves, smoked meats and a touch of biscuity oak. There is just a hint of bitter almond and coffee grinds on the finish tying everything together. There is medium to good length here with firm tannins. This is well crafted with a lingering finish and will drink well for at least the next decade.
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.
