Peppertree Four Clones Limited Release Chardonnay 2021
- 92
- $35
- Drink by: 2023-2028
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From the high altitude, cool climate vineyards in the Orange region of New South Wales, the grapes were whole bunch pressed into tank, settled and then racked to French oak puncheons for fermentation. The wine is then left for nearly a year before blending and bottling. Pale straw in colour, the nose has deep stonefruit notes, spices, hints of vanillin oak though well integrated, melons, dried apricot and a hint of honeycomb. Lovely to drink, this would sit at an even higher level if it offered a little more length, though that may come in time. The highlights at the moment are the richness and oodles of flavour. Drink over the next 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.
