Schwarz The Growers Shiraz Barossa Valley 2023
- 93
- $32
Share
A tribute to the work of the many growers in the Barossa Valley, who contribute so much behind the scenes. In this case, providing grapes to Schwarz for this wine among others. Nice to see their work recognised, but in the end, all that really matters is what is in the bottle. In this case, a cracking Barossa Shiraz which represents excellent value. 2% whole bunches included in the fermentation, with maturation only in French oak, of which 20% of the wine went into very large oak vats. The colour is a dark ruby maroon. This is beautifully aromatic with aromas weaving through notes of ripe black cherries, plums, blackberries, herbs and mulberries. A wine bursting with joy. There is a supple and seamless texture and a slight bitter almond note on the finish, tying things together. A wine with sleek tannins and very good length. Delicious drinking.
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.
