Oakridge Henk Chardonnay 2024
- 95
- $48
- Drink by: 2026-2034
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From the subregion of Woori Yallock, the wine was made in the usual way with whole bunch pressing into 500-litre French oak puncheons, natural fermentation and maturation for fourteen months. Straw/golden colour, this is a wine of great intensity, a seriously powerful Chardonnay. The nose exhibits notes of apricot skins, grilled cashews, oatmeal, stone fruits and a flick of deftly handled oak. There are also hints of spices and lemon curd. That power runs the full length, which is impressive in itself, and there is a line of juicy acidity. Cracking stuff, it will sing over the next five 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.
