Petaluma Evans Vineyard 2021
- 96
- $100
- Drink by: 2026-2046
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Petaluma’s Yellow Label Cabernet Merlot, from the Evans Vineyard, is one of our most iconic Coonawarra reds. Even more exciting when it comes from a thrilling vintage for the region like 2021. The wine spent a year and a half maturing in French oak barriques and hogsheads, 40% of which were new. The blend is 90% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. This is as good a version of Yellow Label as I can recall for many years. An opaque maroon hue, there is still oak evident here, but integration is proceeding well. The nose reveals notes of chocolate, plums, cassis, tobacco leaves, black fruits, leather, coffee beans, cocoa powder, cold tea and blackberries. Complexity is already shining through. There is superb focus and serious length, through to the silkiest of tannins. Really impressive balance throughout, this is stunning stuff and will offer at least two decades of pleasure.
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.
