Sittella Grand Prestige Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs 2010
- 95
- $125
- Drink by: 2023-2026
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100% Chardonnay, it is rare to find an Aussie sparkler which has spent anything like this amount of time – twelve years – on lees. Actually, it is rare to find a sparkler from anywhere which has spent that length of time on lees. Needless to say, the benefits are reflected in the glass. Deep gold, there are notes of toast and lemon butter, hazelnuts and a lovely biscuity character with hints of peach and stonefruit – an Aussie sparkler which really does offer excellent complexity. Exceptional length and fine balance too, it is a really good local fizz. The wine will certainly hold for several years but drinking it now seems the best idea. The price ensures it will compete with the big boys from offshore, but it is showing every sign of doing so and doing it well.
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.
