St Hugo Vetus Purum 2015
- 94
- $220
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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St Hugo have given us so many wonderful wines over the years, the concept of a prestige release certainly has spiked interest. What constitutes prestige for these guys? Only 1%, the very best, of their Coonawarra Cabernet qualifies for inclusion with only the top vintages considered. The selection from 2015 brought forth various trophies and medals. The name is Latin for ancient and pure. Inky black in colour, not even the best part of a decade has softened this, as yet, and there is still some oak evident. The wine is tight, extremely well structured, seamless, though perhaps even a little muted. Decanting for an hour or so would be to its benefit. We have notes of leather, soy, blackberries, cloves, coffee grinds, black cherries and dark chocolate. Fine acidity, silky tannins and a supple, dense texture with impressive length. This will drink well for at least another decade.
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.
