Nova Vita Firebird Road Block Chardonnay 2023
- 93
- $40
- Drink by: 2026-2031
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The fruit used here comes from a single block in an Adelaide Hills vineyard. After whole bunch pressing and fermentation with wild yeasts, the wine spent time in French oak for maturation. Presumably, this is named after the block within the vineyard where the fruit is sourced, rather than any traffic hassles they may have had getting the grapes to the winery. Lemon/yellow in colour, there is lovely vanillin oak integration underway here and an appealing cashewy character is evident. The nose exhibits aromas of stone fruit and vanilla, but it is the textural aspects that really stand out. The wine is very well balanced with excellent length and is an impressive Adelaide hills Chardy. Good now, better in twelve months, and then can be drunk and enjoyed any time over the following 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.
