Richard Hamilton Ghost Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023
- 93
- $38
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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They say that anyone in the wine game must be quite mad and it seems that this wine harks back to a time of just that. The Hamilton family came from Dover in the United Kingdom, setting sail in 1837. Richard Hamilton then established some of this nation’s earliest vineyards. Apparently, and the links to this particular wine seem a touch tenuous, there was a story at the time that a young woman would meet the ghost of her lover, a dispatch rider who died in the course of his duty, at night at the foot of Ghost Hill (quite mad?). The local Ghost Hill, possibly the same Ghost Hill, arises from the Estate’s Hut Block which produces some of their very best Shiraz. A gleaming magenta in colour with a crimson rim, the nose reveals aromas of chocolate, plums, cocoa powder, blackberries, coffee grinds and a dusting of chocolate nibs (yes, chocolate is the theme here). There is fine balance, focus and good energy throughout. Generous in style with impressive length, this will reward patience and should be quite special in eight to ten years. Excellent value.
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.
