St Hugo Attunement Shiraz Cabernet 2018
- 94
- $100
- Drink by: 2025-2043
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Doing what Australia does best, a blend of regions and a blend of varieties for this cracking Barossa red from the stellar 2018 vintage. 64% Shiraz and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon from a split of regions, 52% Barossa and 48% Coonawarra. Throw in seventeen months in French oak, 76% of which was new, and winemaker Peter Munro has a very fine red on his hands. Under cork. An inky dark colour, the nose exhibits oak but integration is proceeding well with notes of cloves, blackcurrants, soy, aniseed, black fruits, coffee grinds, graphite and a touch of very dark chocolate. This is a wine which is all about power and concentration carried by very good length. It remains well balanced at all times, with fine acidity and abundant but powdery tannins. This should provide pleasure for the next fifteen to eighteen 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.
