Stonehouse Reserve Shiraz 2023
- 94
- $120
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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The fruit here is sourced mostly from the team’s Western Ridge vineyards, including Stone Well, Seppeltsfield, Marananga and Greenock, as well as Ebenezer. All vines are in excess of thirty-five years in age. This wine sees a little more oak than some in the portfolio, and 25% of that oak is new. The team also include 5% whole bunches. Deep maroon with a blood red rim, no question that there is noticeable oak influence at this stage, but integration is proceeding well. The nose reveals aromas of mushrooms, dried herbs, chocolate, coffee grinds and black fruits. A sleek texture, impressive length through to a lingering finish with fine and powdery tannins, this is an excellent Barossa Shiraz and will provide pleasure over the next 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.
