Bethany Blue Quarry Chardonnay 2022
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2023-2030
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From a single vineyard in the Flaxman Valley sub-region of the Eden valley, the fruit was barrel fermented, with 30% being in new French oak. The wine was then left on lees and stirred regularly over the next six months and malolactic fermentation blocked. An appealing gold hue, the aromas weave through florals, lemons, cashews, a hint of grapefruit and some characters more tropical. A supple texture and good line of acidity, with intensity running the full journey. The palate reveals a touch more of the tropical notes. Nicely balanced, the oak on the palate is a tiny bit more apparent than it seemed on the nose, but the wine is none the worse for it. A pleasing style which will drink well for at least the next four to seven years.
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.
