Smith & Hooper Cabernet Merlot 2021
- 93
- $21
- Drink by: 2023-2035
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A controlled fermentation was followed by 11 months maturation in a mix of French barriques (of which, 9% were new), and older French barriques and hogsheads. From the Wrattonbully region, it is a dark maroon colour with the nose offering dry herbs, plums, spices, truffles, tobacco leaves, blackberries, coffee grinds and chocolate. Finely balanced, it has good intensity throughout and yet retains some elegance with fine, velvety tannins and excellent length. Enjoy over the next eight to twelve 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.
