School House Headmaster Coonawarra Shiraz 2020
- 91
- $55
- Drink by: 2022-2032
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More compelling evidence that Shiraz really is not the poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks in the Coonawarra region. This is from a terra rossa vineyard and the grapes have undergone a light crushing before the juice then spends eight days in fermentation before a gentle pressing. 30% is matured in 2nd fill American oak hogsheads. Red/purple in colour, on a very perfumed nose we have pleasing notes of red cherries, spices, florals and raspberries. Nicely balanced and with excellent length, this finishes with soft yet abundant tannins. The oak is very well handled. The wine lifts on the palate as more flavours emerge from their shell. Delicious now but will drink well over the next five to ten 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.
