Pacha Mama Chardonnay 2023
- 93
- $40
- Drink by: 2024-2028
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A very smart Yarra Valley Chardonnay here, whole bunch pressing followed by 12 hours settling. A wild ferment in puncheons was followed by six weeks lees stirring and then a period of maturation in French oak, including a percentage new. Deep yellow hue, the nose gives us notes of cashews, florals, citrus and peaches. The oak is very well integrated here, with a touch still evident, but it is a process. Stonefruit notes to the fore, this is fresh and seamless with good energy and an appealing creamy texture. The intensity is maintained for the full length. Delicious now and over the next four 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.
