Viveur Limestone Coast Shiraz 2021
- 91
- $34.95
- Drink by: 2022-2028
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The Berrigan family operation is a relatively new one, taking fruit from their own vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and Mt Benson on the Limestone Coast. The labels are most definitely visually striking and rather well done, although to be honest, I am still trying to work out if this one, dubbed ‘Margeaux’, is a dog or a horse or something else. The grapes for this Shiraz were hand-plunged in open fermenters and matured in French oak for 16 months. This is the first of their wines I’ve encountered and it certainly makes a most positive impression. Opaque magenta in colour, the nose offers a range of characters, weaving through dry herbs, chocolate, spices and black cherries. The palate gives the impression of an attractive plushness. A soft, lingering structure here, with very good length supported by soft, satiny tannins. No question that the wine is providing pleasure at this moment, but will offer even more over the next four to six 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.
