Precious Little Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018
- 93
- $45
- Drink by: 2021 - 2030
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From a single vineyard site in the Marananga sub-region of the Barossa Valley (pedigree for Aussie Shiraz does not come much better than that). The grapes were hand-picked, then cold-soaked, fermented with wild yeasts before pressed into a mix of new and older French and American oak.
The colour is an opaque purple. Aromas, a mix of red and black fruits intertwine, with notes of cherries, chocolate, animal skins, warm earth and blackcurrants. The palate is seamless and a little creamy, beautifully supple. The wine has focus, it is nicely balanced and it has serious length, leading to fine, silky tannins. Intensity is maintained throughout. A lovely example of Barossa Shiraz, one which has at least a decade ahead of it.
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.
