Riposte The Cutlass Shiraz 2023
- 92
- $29
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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From a single vineyard in the Woodside sub-region, fermentation was in two batches – the first saw half whole bunches with crushed berries, while the second was half whole berries. Maturation was in French oak, 35% of it new. The colour here is an inky darkness. A savoury and complex style which is fresh and focused, there are notes of blackberries, dried herbs, aniseed, soy, bay leaves, leather, delicatessen meats, a touch of cassis and a flick of well-integrated oak all present. A wine of medium length with good grip, it should provide pleasure over the next six to eight 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.
