Stonefish Single Vineyard Margaret River Chardonnay 2024
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2025-2029
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Bargain priced Marg River Chardy is not to be dismissed easily. One may wonder why the marketing team chose one of the ugliest animals on the planet as the name for this range (a question above my paygrade), but I will say, as someone who as a kid wanted to be a marine biologist and spent a squillion hours in aquariums and the ocean, next time you get the chance, look deeply into the eyes of a stonefish. I kid you not, the very definition of inner beauty. They truly have extraordinary eyes. And there is plenty of inner beauty in this delicious Chardy, from vines which are 24 years of age. A gleaming pale gold colour here, the nose is very much from the tropical side of town – we have notes of passionfruit, banana and pineapples – along with florals, a touch of ginger and a hint of orange blossom. The wine is delightfully fresh with bright acidity. A juicy style with excellent length. Quite delicious now and will surely remain so for at least four 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.
