St Hugo Private Collection Rowland Flat Shiraz 2016
- 96
- $130
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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Not often that a ten-year-old Aussie red lands on the market, especially one which really is such good value. 2016 was a brilliant vintage for the Barossa Valley region and this is from the Rowland Flat sub-region. Under screwcap. Mature yes, but it is still full of life and energy and has an excellent future still ahead of it. The colour is dark blood red while the nose reveals aromas of dried herbs, a touch of chocolate, leather, aniseed, black fruits and liqueur cherries. There is excellent oak integration evident and the wine exhibits serious length with a line of bright acidity. Well balanced, this is absolutely delicious and should provide immense pleasure over the next ten to fifteen 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.
