What I'm Drinking...

1999 Writers Block Mark I Grenache

Publish Date: 24 Oct 2011

In 1998 the most loved wine writer of the last 40 years — if not of all (Australian) time — Mark Shield died of cancer, aged 51. His irreverent and wickedly funny approach inspired his wine columns, and even those on the receiving end of his sallies could not take real offence. His many friends decided to raise money to pay for the education of his two sons by making two wines in the rich style he loved so much. Seppelt donated five tonnes of each of old vine shiraz and grenache from its Seppeltsfield vineyard; Rockford made its open slate fermenters and its basket press available; barrels were donated by Seppeltsifeld (seasoned) and Seguin Moreau (new French); James Godfrey was winemaker ringmaster, helped by various wine writer friends; superb corks (still perfect) were donated by V&C, bottles by ACI, label design by Michelle Weiner and printing by AQ Australia. 4200 bottles of each wine were made and sold, the entire proceeds going to the Shielf family. The whole exercise was run by the one and only Lesley Anne Grimoldby, PR supremo, and still kicking goals. On a foul, wintery Melbourne night (after the Cat's Grand Final win) I 'enjoyed the hell out of it', to use a Shieldism, it, in this instance, being the grenache. If there has ever been a better Barossa grenache, I certainly haven't tasted it. Thanks Mark.

Authored by: Anonymous

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