Forrest Chardonnay 2024
- 92
- $40
- Drink by: 2026-2031
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The world famous Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, in particular in this case the Wairau River Valley, does tend to overshadow anything and everything else from the region, not least some very fine Chardonnay (and some of the world’s best brown trout flyfishing). It is definitely worth exploring the Chardonnay from here. Yellow/straw in colour, the nose has an appealing nuttiness to it, encountered on opening. We have notes of grilled cashews alongside apricot, melon, ginger, nectarine and peaches. There is still oak in the process of integration here, but it is proceeding well. The palate is slightly broad, but there is some fresh acidity and a lingering finish. It should drink well over 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.
