Riposte The Sabre Pinot Noir 2024
- 94
- $42
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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Reduced crops in 2024 in the Adelaide Hills, but the trade-off was superb quality for the wines. A mix of clones is used, with each kept separately until the final barrel selection. Maturation was in French oak barrels, 25% new. A pale crimson colour here, the nose is delightfully spicy with rose petals, delicatessen meats, red cherries and a hint of brambles. A wine of finesse and exquisite fragrances. There is fresh acidity with fine balance and a seamless structure. A linear style, there is focus and length here. The palate moves very much to the red cherry, kirsch end of the spectrum. The tannins are silky and the finish persistent. Should drink beautifully for the next eight to ten years. Love 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.
