Carrick Bannockburn Chardonnay 2023
- 93
- $39
- Drink by: 2026-2032
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From the Bannockburn sub-region in Central Otago, the team source fruit here from some of the oldest vines in their vineyard. They use five different parcels from throughout the vineyard and four different Chardonnay clones. Maturation is in barrel, 15% new, for a period of eleven months, after which the wine spends a further seven months in tank, prior to bottling. As with everything to do with the team at Carrick, viticulture is organic. Straw/yellow in colour, the nose provides aromas of spices, lemon and grapefruit with hints of florals, cashews and stone fruits. Deft oak handling is evident, and the structure is seamless, with a line of fresh acidity running the journey. Gorgeously textured with a lingering finish, the palate sees the emergence of notes of oatmeal. Enjoy this over the next half dozen 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.
