Clover Hill ‘Vintage Riche’ 2015
- 90
- $45
- Drink by: 2020 - 2022
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A sparkler with more than a nod to the Riche of Veuve Clicquot, even down to the colouring of the label – a bit of a risk given the well-known litigiousness of VC. Disgorged in October 2019, this is from the Pipers Rivers region of Tasmania and is a blend of 61% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 6% Pinot Meunier.
Hints of lemon pie and dried herbs. The sweetness is less pronounced than expected with residual sweetness of 17.9%, practically bone dry for the early days of sparkling wines and, although sweeter than most today, still well under some of its peers. The floral notes linger. An attractive style, good for desserts which are not too sweet. Or a bowl of fruit.
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.
