Castelli Estate Sparkling NV
- 92
- $37
- Drink by: 2024-2029
Share
A very fine sparkler from the Great Southern region of Western Australia is not something we see every day. This non-vintage effort is a blend of 92% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Noir and just 1% Pinot Meunier, which has spent a year and a half on lees. The mix of vintages is, we are told, “spanning the last decade”. A lemony hue, this is clean and refreshing, neatly balanced. The nose gives an attractive citrus and chalky character to the wine with lemons, a flick of honeycomb and florals in support. There is a touch of stone fruit on the palate along with some bitey acidity (if bitey is not a word, it should be). Good length on a fizz which should provide pleasure for at least 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.
