Ribbon Vale Chardonnay 2022
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2023-2029
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This vineyard ripens two weeks after the Moss Wood vineyard, despite their proximity (one kilometre between them). Whole bunch pressing, fermentation first in stainless steel and then transferred to barrel – 228-litre French oak. For this vintage, the wine saw 50% new oak. This is a higher percentage than usual, due to the intensity of the fruit from 2022. An appealing deep lemony colour. This is a fine Chardonnay, good concentration of flavours, and offering finesse. Spices and lemon curd notes with stonefruit and gentle oak. There is a gorgeous texture here, a little reminiscent of crème brulee in some ways, that is seamless and seductive and supple. With fine balance, good acidity and decent length, this has everything in place for the next five to six years. Love it.
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.
