Zonte’s Footsteps Chocolate Factory McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023
- 95
- $30
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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Never having seen Willy Wonka, I am a little out of my depth here, but one suspects that this is a wine which will offer flavours of every kind of chocolate of which one can think. Blood red/magenta, it is indeed chocolate first and last. Attractively ripe, there is a seductive texture through to cashmere-like tannins and the wine has both superb length and balance. Generous and approachable, notes of dark chocolate, cassis, blackberries, coffee beans, dried herbs and mocha are all present and correct. There is good intensity here, running the full length of the wine, and a fresh line of acidity providing energy. Enjoy this over the next ten to fifteen years. If chocolate is your thing, this is a wine you will love.
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.
