Brand & Sons Grand Central Chardonnay 2024
- 93
- $30
- Drink by: 2025-2030
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The Chardonnay used here was formerly the fruit which went into the old Brands Laira Chardy. Free run juice only before fermentation in stainless steel, finished in oak, and then a year maturing on lees in a combination of French oak puncheons from different coopers. The final wine is a barrel selection, with 500 dozen made. Deep yellow hue with flecks of green, the nose reveals the richness found throughout this wine. We have notes of melon, stone fruit, jasmine and peaches, with a hint of almondy oak. Still youthful, there is serious persistence here, with some crunchy acidity and a gentle, lingering finish. Three to five 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.
