Robert Oatley Signature Series Chardonnay 2022
- 92
- $24
- Drink by: 2022-2028
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If someone is given a glass of a fine Margaret River Chardonnay, like this very one, and still claims to be a card-carrying member of the ABC club (anything but Chardonnay), then I simply won’t believe them. How could anyone not love these wines? The fruit here is sourced from across the Margaret River region and spends a short time maturing in French oak barriques, 20% of them new. Malolactic fermentation has been avoided – that will result in a finer, slightly leaner style with vibrant acidity. Malo provides wines which are richer in style. A gleaming pale yellow colour here. Lifted perfumes, quite aromatic and suggesting of coiled power. Stonefruits, nuts, melon, guava and peaches on the palate. The merest note of oak adds to the overall impression of a well-flavoured wine with fine and bright acidity running the length. This is a mid-length Chardy, well focused and balanced that is delicious now and over the next five to six 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.
