Eight at the Gate Wrattonbully Chardonnay 2018
- 91
- $18
- Drink by: 2022-2024
Share
Okay, this is a bit awkward. One is always supposed to prefer the more elite, more expensive wines on offer in the range from a winery, but here, line ball for me – which inevitably means that this is the bargain buy. Curiously, this Chardy is a couple of years older than their elite version and while I am sure that the elite, their Family Selection Chardy, will take the bickie down the track, today I think I’d probably opt for this. Well, line ball.
Wild ferment, this sees the merest touch of French oak according to the blurb, although it is impossible to pick it. It is a gleaming green/gold with melon, stonefruit and hints of citrus. An elegant and tight style which picks up delightfully on the palate. Seamless and with impressive length, this has fine balance. A gentle style for enjoying over the next year or two.
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.
