Wolf Blass House of the Dragon Fire & Blood Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021

As any loyal fan knows, a new series based on George R. R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ books is hitting screens shortly. ‘Day of the Dragon’ is the prequel to the massively popular fantasy series and Wolf Blass has combined with the team to offer this commemorative wine (one thought, George, finish the books! Please!). Now, you might have thought it would be called Dornish Red or Arbor Red, both regularly enjoyed in the series/books, and the most famous wines made in Westeros, though one would not recommend sharing a bottle with the late and definitely unlamented King Joffrey. Anyway, you won’t miss it. The striking labels stand out like Brienne of Tarth standing next to Tyrion Lannister.

The blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Shiraz, the great Aussie blend. Matured in a mix of French and American oak, the fruit is sourced from throughout South Australia, notably Wrattonbully, Barossa, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale. The wine is vibrant purple in colour with mocha, plummy notes, coffee grinds and florals. Bright and fresh, with good acidity, the finish is as long as winter on the wrong side of the Wall. Fine tannins too with some raspberry and liquorice on the palate. Will drink well for at least the next five to six years, at which time we’ll probably still be waiting for the next book.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

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.

Wine writer and critic