Mayfield Single Vineyard Orange Chardonnay 2021
- 92
- $34
- Drink by: 2022-2028
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Cooler climate wines and those from high altitudes hold a certain fascination for winelovers, as the perception is that the combination of these factors adds to the quality on offer. Not always true, but it often is. The vineyard providing the fruit for this appealing Chardonnay, at Orange in the Central Ranges wine region of NSW, is certainly both cooler and higher than most, sitting at an impressive 900 metres. The wine spends seven months maturing in French oak. Only 150 cases were made, so don’t linger.
Pale straw in colour, this definitely sits at the leaner, more elegant end of the spectrum – if those old fashioned, huge, buttery chardies are your thing, then there is nothing for you to see here. We have gentle cashew notes, gunflint, florals, citrus and a minerally backing. Still very young, we have vibrant acidity helping the wine on its journey, through to quite amazing length of flavour. Better in two to three years and will drink well for another five to six.
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.
