Jilyara Heath Road Chardonnay 2023
- 92
- $35
- Drink by: 2024-2030
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A barrel-fermented Chardonnay which undergoes regular stirring, before maturation in a mix of both new and older French oak. Quite delicious – the latest releases from Jilyara are drinking as well as any wines I have seen from them. But then, if you can’t get Marg River Chardy right, perhaps the wine game is not for you. They got this one absolutely right, indeed. The colour here was a shining lemon hue with a flick of oak sitting alongside notes of stonefruits and herbs. A fine line of salinity runs the length. A supple texture, good density, ideal balance with a lingering and persistent finish. The palate sees the emergence of notes of lemon, hay and peaches. Should drink very well for the next three to six 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.
