Cook’s Lot Iconique Barrique Chardonnay 2019
- 94
- $60
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From the Orange region in New South Wales, the aim here is surely to produce a Chardonnay of complexity. Barrel fermentation, whole bunch pressing, extended lees contact and twenty-four months maturation in new toasted French oak puncheons – if that doesn’t provide some complexity to the wine then perhaps it’s time to give up. Fortunately, it is a wine exhibiting a great deal of complexity. Deep straw in colour, one just has to love the aromas here. Cashews, melon, pineapple, lemon curd and mango. There is very good length, excellent oak integration, attractive balance and yes, enough complexity to satisfy the harshest critic. When to drink it? It does seem as though it might be at peak at the moment, though it should hold that for some years to come. Lots to love here.
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.
