Pontifex Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2019
- 92
- $40
- Drink by: 2023-2030
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Yet another pleasing local example of this famous Rhone red blend made from Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Crimson red in colour, there is a nose of warm earth – it screams the soil from which it has grown. There are also raspberries, dry herbs, cherries and spices. Carefully crafted, everything is in place and kept in check and balance. There is fine acidity here too, running the length, and a persistent finish with gentle tannins. Very attractive drinking now, which should continue over the next five to seven years.
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.
