Henschke Johanne Ida Selma Blanc de Noir MD
- 94
- $70
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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This has long been one of Australia’s favourite Blanc de Noirs sparklers, and always one of the best of that style. A multi-vintage fizz, the fruit comes from Lenswood, and is what they term, MD, meaning “mature disgorged”, which can, apparently, mean up to more than twenty years on lees. That would be massively impressive from the great houses of Champagne, let alone from downunder. Yellow straw in colour, the nose offers a range of aromas, including stone fruits, lemongrass, wild strawberries, lemon curd, florals, walnuts and gentle red cherries, with a hint of toffee. Quite richly flavoured, the wine is clean, fresh and intense with very good persistence. Lots to like here, this can be enjoyed anytime over the next decade.
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.
