Sittella Marie Christien Lugten 2017
- 91
- $55
- Drink by: 2023-2029
Share
The Pemberton region of Western Australia is responsible for some superb wines, but sparklers are perhaps not the first that spring to mind. Given the seriousness with which the team at Sittella obviously take the style, and the quality that they are producing, things might just change. This release has had five years on lees and is a blend dominated by Pinot Noir, the remainder Chardonnay. Gleaming yellow/gold colour, the wine offers powerful, even pungent aromas. Notes of green apples, quince, hints of pears and a touch of shortbread. Ripe and fully flavoured with some floral notes, there is excellent length and fine acidity here. The wine should drink very well over the next five to six years, and continue to improve throughout that time.
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.
