Chalk Hill Sidetrack Mclaren Vale 2011 $27 ★★★½
This is a lush, spicy blend of shiraz and grenache which carries an exotic, slightly medicinal aroma that wraps around slightly earthy characters like prunes and pepper. There’s also a lovely smoky, nutty note and a long, gently savoury finish. Winemaker Jock Harvey fashioned the Sidetrack in tribute to his father, Chalk Hill’s founder John Harvey. Apparently John was a great starter but a rather useless finisher of things… Sip this wine with sticky lamb shanks on creamy polenta.
