Oakridge 864 Drive Block Funder and Diamond Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
- 96
- $100
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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Yet another superb 864 Chardonnay from the 2023 vintage, this vineyard is planted to the P58 clone. The grapes are whole bunch pressed to French oak puncheons for natural fermentation, 20% new barrels. Maturation was for ten months in barrel, followed by a further six months on lees in tank. Deep straw, the nose is beautifully fragrant and indicative of the elegance to follow. Florals, grapefruits, white jasmine and a touch of peach along with hints of cashews, woodsmoke and gunflint are all present on the nose. The wine has a lingering persistence with good intensity and excellent balance throughout. Juicy acidity runs the length. A ten year proposition. How exciting are the top Australian Chardonnays at the moment!
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.
