Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier 2021
- 92
- $30
- Drink by: 2023-2031
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A delicious and well-constructed example of this Côte-Rôtie blend (just 4% Viognier here), the fruit is from the Whites Valley sub-region of McLaren Vale. Fermentation commenced, on skins, in stainless steel open fermenters for a week, before transfer to tanks to finish. The wine was then split, with half going to older French oak hogsheads and half into tank for ten months maturation. Magenta hue, the nose, which is given a lovely lift by the addition of the Viognier, is redolent of tobacco leaves, blackberries, leather, dry herbs and a hint of stonefruits. A supple palate with fine, silky tannins. The palate here starts to provide a more chocolatey note with a lingering finish. Drink over the next six to eight 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.
