Richard Hamilton Ghost Hill Shiraz 2020
- 94
- $38
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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A very fine McLaren Vale Shiraz, one which is excellent value. The wine saw a period of extended maceration on skins and then time in a mix of American and French oak. 25% of the American was new, 10% of the French. The remainder was one to four years of age. Near opaque in colour, just a hint of vibrant purple. Notes of cloves, black olives, chocolate, cassis, soy blackberries and aniseed. A richly flavoured, nicely balanced, mid length style. The finish lingers pleasingly. The wine should sail through a decade or more, but it is already approachable and generous. Will make a lot of people very happy.
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.
