Pirramimma ACJ Cabernet Petit Verdot 2018
- 97
- $100
- Drink by: 2024 - 2035
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Named in honour of Alexander Campbell Johnston, pioneer and founder of Pirramimma, the man who first planted grapes in this region in 1892. In other words, a man to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. The estate is still in family hands, Geoff being 3rd generation.
Previous vintages have been a blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and petit verdot. This latest incarnation is 83% cabernet from the contoured Basket Wave vineyard and 17% petit verdot from the Katunga vineyard.
This is basically opaque. Gloriously fragrant, there is coiled power here, but that can’t hide the alluring aromas and flavours – dark chocolate, vanilla bean, blackberries, mocha and coffee bean notes. Cloves and olives too. Power yes, but so well balanced that an elegance pervades throughout. Immaculate oak integration with real focus and balance. This wine has the silkiest tannins of all the wines in the range. This is a cracker in every sense.
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.
