Luminant Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2024
- 91
- $30.95
- Drink by: 2026-2031
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This new label from the Yarra Valley has brought in Charles Smedley from Mandala Wines to ensure it is off to the best possible start. The fruit, from the Dixon’s Creek sub-region, is 50% handpicked and then 100% whole bunch pressed. Fermentation is in French oak and 20% of the wine sees malolactic fermentation as well. Maturation is for seven months in that French oak. A deep yellow/straw hue, the wine opens with decidedly nutty aromas, all rather spicy. Cashews and almonds to the fore, supported by notes of stone fruit and melon. We also have hints of some freshly turned earth, honeysuckle and citrus. There is a good line of acidity and the wine is of medium length to enjoy over the next three to five 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.
