Oakridge Hazeldene Chardonnay 2022
- 96
- $48
- Drink by: 2024-2034
Share
Moving now to the Hazeldene Vineyard, a north-facing site in the Yarra, with the wine seeing whole bunch pressing into 500 litre French oak puncheons, a natural ferment and then ten months maturation on lees. The palest weak lemon colour and a very gentle touch of oak here, but integration is almost complete. Good complexity is evident right from the start with notes of grapefruits, garden herbs and spices plus an intriguing hint of a combination of a touch of nougat with river stones. A most elegant style of Chardonnay, with fine acidity, focus and length, this is absolutely cracking stuff, and it finishes with a hint of oatmeal. The balance is exemplary making this a very fine Chardonnay which will drink exquisitely for a decade.
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.
