Chris Killeen I have just heard that Rutherglen winemaker Chris Killeen died last Tuesday, June 19, 52 years young. He was one of our best makers of fortified wine. I first met Chris at Charles Sturt in 1980 when a group of us were doing a short update on winemaking. Chris was a great tennis player so he and I used to volunteer to carry the likes of John Ellis in games of tennis at the end of the day. He was a most engaging person with great compassion. I still remember him taking me through the different spirits available for fortifying and being amazed at the subtle variations of this firewater and how the choice would influence the finished wine and its aging prospects. Several years later he spent a morning showing Wendy and I across his reserve muscats in a special family barrel collection, an experience Wendy still talks about with great reverence. In recent years we have enjoyed some lovely Shiraz from “Jacks Block”. He is survived by wife Ann, daughter Natasha and son Simon. Simon is in his first year of studying to be a winemaker and knowing Chris, I am sure Simon will already be a great sportsman and ready to continue the tradition. Wendy and I will toast the memory of Chris with friends, using a fine Stanton and Killeen Rutherglen muscat of course.

Rated : 100 Points

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