Santa Macarena Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
- 90
- $32
- Drink by: 2022-2028
Share
Is it just me or does anyone seeing this label immediately start humming a little, swaying those hips and shoulders (perhaps not as rhythmically as one might have done some years ago) and singing the Macarena. I have visions of the pickers moving down the rows, all stopping in unison for a little dance. Or perhaps not. From the Aconcagua Valley in Chile and a vineyard that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Fermentation is temperature controlled. Pale crimson in colour, this is quite a sappy, savoury style of Pinot. Tobacco leaves, dark berries, cherries, dried herbs, spices, warm earth, red fruits and not exhibiting obvious primary flavours at all. Those who enjoy some complexity and even a little rusticity in their Pinots should be all over this. There are quite abundant and reasonably firm tannins on a lingering finish. A burly style of Pinot, for drinking over the next half dozen 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.
