Gioiello Old Hill Chardonnay 2024
- 93
- $40
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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The estate vineyards, located in the Yea Valley on the Goulburn River, were planted between 1987 and 1992. The grapes from this block were fermented in French oak barriques, 40% of which were new. This was followed by eight months maturation on lees. The team were, not surprisingly, very happy with the quality of the 2024 vintage. The wine has a lemon straw hue. The nose is redolent of stone fruits and hazelnuts, complimented by notes of lemon curd and dried fruits. At this early stage, the use of oak is still evident, but it is tight and balanced and integration is proceeding well. The wine has focus, a supple and slightly creamy texture, fine line of acidity and excellent length. There is a degree of elegance here. This will continue to provide pleasure over the next four to eight years, and there is room for improvement over that period. Good stuff!
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.
