St Hugo Barossa Shiraz 2021
- 95
- $54.99
- Drink by: 2023-2038
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The history of the St Hugo label is such that many winelovers assume it is the Coonawarra Cabernet first, with everything else second and bringing up the rear. Don’t be fooled. The current Cab is a cracker but for me, the pick of the trio is this brilliant Barossa Shiraz. Perhaps that is because it enjoys the benefit of a wonderful year while the Cab lags a year behind in its releases (not to suggest that 2020 is not a good vintage – just that 2021 is something a bit special). Black/maroon hue, this is bold, intense and exuberant. With its lifted aromatics and rich flavours, it is the very personification of a top Barossa Shiraz. Chocolate, aniseed, bay leaves, soy, blackberries and hints of delicatessen meats with exquisitely balanced and well-integrated oak. Supple, fresh, youthful and neatly balanced. Excellent focus with satiny tannins and very good length. This has ten to fifteen years ahead of it. A cracker indeed. Love it.
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.
