Port Phillip Estate Morillon Chardonnay 2024
- 96
- $80
- Drink by: 2026-2041
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The fruit for this flagship Chardonnay comes from a parcel which is just 0.1 hectares, situated within the oldest Chardonnay block in their Red Hill Vineyard. This block was planted in 1988. After handpicking, the fruit was whole bunch pressed into French oak puncheons, 20% of which were new, for fermentation on full solids. Maturation was for eleven months with no bâttonage. The palest of lemon hues, the nose exhibits notes of spices, lemons, good cashew oak integration, grapefruit pith, gunflint, ginger and limes. This is a touch leaner and more elegant than its siblings. Beautifully crafted with very impressive length and focus, this is a most attractive Chardonnay. Finally balanced, the palate sees the emergence of fractionally unripe peaches, which really works. To be enjoyed over the next ten to fifteen 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.
