Eight at the Gate Wrattonbully Family Selection Chardonnay 2021
- 92
- $38
- Drink by: 2022-2028
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A different style of Chardy from the team, this one looking for a longer ageing period and more complexity, not least through the inclusion of some French oak. The free run juice goes directly to a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels. Green/gold in colour, this version definitely has more depth and complexity, with good intensity and yet, there is restraint and refinement here as well. Florals, lemon notes, gentle hints of stonefruit with good power on the palate and a fine line of acidity running the full journey. Nicely balanced and a lingering finish so four to six years ahead of it although the best is yet to come and expect the score to rise commensurately.
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.
