Zonte’s Footstep Chocolate Factory McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021
- 94
- $30
- Drink by: 2023-2033
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Now, if you are going to dub a wine the ‘Chocolate Factory’, either it was made by Willy Wonka, which we can safely rule out here, or it is all glorious chocolate. Such a name imposes certain expectations. For me, a cracking wine, but I can’t honestly say I found oodles of chocolate. Just the requisite amount. Still, we should not demean the wine for that. Inky dark maroon, black fruits with cassis, mulberries, dry herbs, cloves, black olives, bergamot, coffee grinds, blackberries, even a lovely yet gentle intrusion of blueberries. But chocolate? Just a little. Excellent length here with very fine, plush tannins and impeccable balance. Lots to love and a wine which will age for a decade – and who knows, perhaps more chocolate will emerge over time. Great value.
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.
