Two Hands Yacca Block Shiraz 2019
- 95
- $110
- Drink by: 2025 - 2033
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Yacca’s Block (I thought that was in the hallowed rows at the Sydney Cricket Ground and not the east-west rows of this vineyard – okay, that was Yabba, but an easy mistake) has a westerly aspect and vines of 16 years. It is in the sub-district of Mengler’s Hill in Eden Valley. Elevation is nearly 500 metres. The soil is shallow, skeletal grey sand loam with quartz gravel over weathered rock and yellow clay. The vineyard gets its name because it is surrounded by local yaccas (a plant, not a loud cricket fan). The conditions here contribute to soft, elegant wines.
Black/blue/purples. Aromas of florals and a freshly baked raspberry pie. Mulberries, spices, leather, warm earth. There is complexity here. The nose is not at all reticent, but it suggests that this is a wine which will need time – the palate confirms this. Seamless and focussed and it has line. Fleshy. Lots of dark chocolate on the finish and those lovely soft tannins.
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.
