Yalumba The Steeple Barossa Shiraz 2019
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2023-2035
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A single vineyard (1.34 hectares) Barossa Shiraz from the sub-region of Light Pass, this was the vintage in which the vines reached their century, planted back in 1919. A wild ferment with nine days on skins, maturation was then for 16 months in a mix of French barriques, 24% new, coming from a 366 year-old oak tree. Dark maroon hue. Aromas swirl around chocolate, mocha, bay leaves, blackberries, florals, cherries, leather, plums and spices, all backed by excellent oak integration. There is good intensity here, but the generosity never waivers. Soft cashmere tannins, but there is deceptive grip, along with fine acidity and the balance is excellent. Mid length at this stage but it is building. Drink over the next six to twelve 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.
