Riversdale Estate Centaurus Pinot Noir 2020
- 94
- $65
- Drink by: 2022-2030
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The Centaurus constellation is one of the largest and brightest in the galaxy. Viewed from the southern hemisphere, it was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. It contains two of the brightest stars in the heavens, Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri. This wine comes from either a barrel selection or a single block, depending on the vintage. For me, this is the star of the Riversdale range. Pale crimson, it exudes a lovely fragrance with perfumes of raspberries, florals, violets and a sweet core of cherry pips. It is seamless with excellent length and focus. Well balanced, it also lingers beautifully with fine, if ever-so-slightly grainy tannins. This Pinot is gorgeous now but will continue to improve 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.
