Fox Creek Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2022
- 91
- $23
- Drink by: 2023-2025
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The famed Fox Creek winery from McLaren Vale has spread its wings in recent years, expanding the range of both grapes and the regions from which they are sourced. This fine Chardy hails from the Adelaide Hills. Fermentation is with a combination of selected and native yeasts, in a mix of tanks and French oak (24% new), followed by a further stint for maturation. A gleaming pale yellow, we have perfumes of pears, hazelnuts, citrus and a minerally backing. This is a fresh, youthful Chardonnay for enjoying in its youth, one which represents cracking value, rather than one designed to challenge the long ageing, wildly expensive examples – nothing wrong with that. Good vibrant acidity drives the style, through to decent length with good intensity maintained throughout. Balanced, clean and fresh, it is terrific drinking now, although there is no rush.
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.
