Brand & Sons Jim Brand Yates Chardonnay 2022
- 91
- $30
- Drink by: 2023-2028
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From vines planted back in 1985, only free run juice is used, fermented primarily in stainless steel, before finishing in barrel. Then a year’s maturation in French oak puncheons. These days, not many winelovers turn to Coonawarra for their whites, especially Chardonnay, but historically, it was a good source. Riesling, for an example, was more widely planted here than even Cabernet as recently as the 70s. A pale lemon hue, there are notes of lemon and citrus, cashews, spices and a hint of dusty earth. A leaner style with good focus, fine acidity and decent length, it is a well balanced Chardonnay with elegance that will provide attractive drinking over the next four 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.
