Ironcloud The Alliance Chardonnay 2022
- 93
- $65
- Drink by: 2023-2031
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Chardonnay from the Ferguson Valley in Western Australia is perhaps a new experience for many. The usual process here is barrel selection, with the grapes undergoing whole bunch pressing into French oak for fermentation with half under wild yeasts. Post ferment lees stirring, no malo and around nine months maturation. A lovely green/gold hue – most patriotic. This is a top-notch Chardonnay its quality oak evident at this early stage. We have notes of nutmeg, cashews and stonefruit, with peaches and melon notes. Seamless, seductive, a supple texture, focused acidity, fine balance and great length. Like this a lot – dow for the next six to eight 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.
