Stonehaven Stepping Stone Chardonnay 2026
- 92
- $22
- Drink by: 2026-2031
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Cracking value here for this Limestone Coast Chardonnay. From a trio of vineyards spread across the region, Mundulla, Padthaway and Coonawarra, there is partial barrel fermentation here and a very brief maturation in oak. Deep lemon, there is surprising refinement here for a wine in this price bracket, and certainly no lack of flavour. We have notes of citrus, spices, florals, grapefruit and lemon curd. Light and fresh, this is attractive drinking. A well-structured Chardonnay, seamless in style with good intensity and a lingering finish. Like this a lot, and we can expect it to drink well for the next two to five years. It is seriously good value.
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.
