Wines

Grape Expectations by Max Crus

Thorburn chooses wrong Hill to die on

The winds of change are blowing through the revolving gates at Windy Hill as day-old CEO Andrew Thorburn has had to choose between his role at the Essendon Football Club and membership of City on the Hill church which espouses all sorts of things that Essendon is trying its hardest to eliminate, which begs the question what was he thinking? Poor Essendon. Can’t win a trick, or a game of footy. No sooner had allegations of their grubby, drug-cheating past re-surfaced while seeking a new coach than their freshly appointed CEO was forced to resign because of religious beliefs. However his resignation was from the wrong Hill. Presumably as champions of equality, understanding and tolerance of sexual and gender diversity, race and religion and inclusiveness (not to mention a compassionate stance on abortion issues, surely not irrelevant in football circles, hello Hawthorn) the CEO of Essendon would be held to the highest account to promote such values, so the question might rightly be asked would Thorburn have tried his hardest in that role, or perhaps just avoid those issues, hoping it never comes to the crunch? How bizarrely conficting that Thorburn is a member of a church which it is legislated may discriminate against those very same people for whom he must uphold another law that says they may not be discriminated against? But historically, Thorburn has had few scruples, adequately highlighted by Counsel Assisting and Commissioner Hayne at the recent banking Royal Commission. His arrogance and entitlement were on show for all, except Essendon to see. Clearly they didn’t ask for his CV or Google Thorburn, even if they weren’t legally entitled to ask him of his religious affliations. Essendon got what they paid for (what’s a day’s pay for a CEO?), were happy to tolerate such conficting standards, and Thorburn should not have been forced to resign from the club. But why wasn’t he forced to resign from his church? Evidently, he was not upholding the beliefs of his religious fraternity and we all know how tolerant they are. Or does the church accept that he is able to suspend those beliefs the moment he walks through the gates at Windy Hill? Not sure that’s how they see things at the other set of gates.

Meanwhile, how about some heavenly wines to enjoy with the brouhaha?

Quartz Hill Pyrenees Syrah,

2018, $42. Despite the shiraz variation moniker Syrah, this is unmistakeably Pyrenees Shiraz if perhaps a little more sophisticated and less brutish than some at only 13.8 percent. Eminently delightful and drinkable. 9.5/10.

Quartz Hill Pyrenees MencÌa 2020, $35.

As summer approaches, lighter reds become the go-to wines in Casa del Crus, whether after church, after brunch or after noon, although the last time we had anything aprËs church was after Sunday School as an 8-year-old and we weren’t allowed to drink. We would have loved this incredibly fragrant, warm and interesting red of Iberian heritage.

9.4/10.

Robert Oatley Barossa Limited Release Larry Cherubino Shiraz

2018, $70. Delicious stuff that your palate is primed for with a very posh label, not to mention the price tag, but with not quite the glamorous edge of its WA cabernet cousin.

9.6/10. Robert Oatley Margaret River Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2022, $23.

Subtle yet sauvy in that WA way, which is probably why it just won the trophy for Best Dry White Blend at the Adelaide Wine Show. Excellent value for little more than a red one. 9.4/10.

Scarborough Hunter Valley ‘The Obsessive’ The Cottage Vineyard Semillon, 2022 (Picked on the 9th

February), $35. Yes, this is truly obsessive for which we should all be truly thankful whether you believe in a god or nature and the ability of viticulturists and vignerons, this is possibly the best semillon we’ve tried in the past decade, maybe longer. Heavenly.

9.8/10.

Scarborough Hunter Valley ‘The Obsessive’ Old North Vineyard Shiraz 2019 (picked on 30th January), $70.

Definitely up there, if not so far up as the pearly gates like its sister semillon, one would nevertheless be quite thankful if this was served up on the altar of one’s church or barbecue. 9.5/10.