Mayfield Vineyard Block 14 Chardonnay 2022
- 94
- $65
- Drink by: 2023-2031
Share
This single block Chardy is, as they say, “a showcase of our vineyard”. Fermentation with 100% grape solids before transfer to new and older French puncheons, hogsheads and barrels with 50% malo. Whether one prefers this or the Thomas really will come down to personal preference as both are cracking wines. For me, this takes the biscuit by the barest whisker. A very pale lemon hue, the wine is leaner, more focused, more obviously elegant (does the small reduction in malo make that much difference or is it the vineyard source?). River stone notes, hints of stonefruit and a minerally backing. Also finely balanced with good, citrussy acidity running the length. For me, the length here is slightly superior to the Thomas, but I know that support is divided (that said, you can’t go wrong selecting either). Enjoy over 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.
