St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2024
- 93
- $24
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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Ask a dozen Australian winelovers and critics to name wines which appear, year after year, in their top value lists and I would not be surprised if at least ten of them included this Barossa Valley gem. Wonderfully reliable, always cracking drinking and value on a level matching the Dutch purchase of Manhattan back in the 1620s (coincidently, one legend suggests that it was swapped for $24 of Venetian beads and trinkets, the very price of this wine, although apparently it was closer to 60 guilders which was around $1,000, but we digress, although given the current chaos, this might just be better buying). A dark, bruised plum hue, this is exuberant and generous. There are notes of black fruits, cherries, spices, a flick of vanilla, raspberries, herbs, mocha and coffee beans. This is seamless, balanced and juicy, with good intensity and impressive length. Seriously, what more do you want for this sort of dosh? Well focused with sleek tannins, this is still fresh and youthful. It will prove to be very enjoyable over the next ten years. I can think of no reason it should not be in your cellar.
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.
