Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Chardonnay 2024
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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Ripening took place over a slightly shorter period than this region usually sees. Yields were down but quality was up. This is the fourth vintage of the Ribbon Vale Chardy and it has established itself as a fine addition to the range. The wine saw nine months maturation in French oak barriques, 47% of which was new. A deep gold colour here, this is big, bold and rich. A Chardy chockers with flavour. What is exciting is that we are already seeing the early emergence of complexity. The nose exhibits notes of white peaches, citrus, a hint of the tropicals, hazelnuts, ginger, lemongrass, spices and very good oak integration. There is a creamy texture with juicy acidity and superb length. This has at least six to eight years of providing pleasure ahead of it and it will certainly improve further over that period, although the team see it as ageing for a number of years more than that.
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.
