Warramunda Estate Liv Zak Chardonnay 2023
- 92
- $45
- Drink by: 2025-2031
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The striking label will be the first thing that catches the eye with this fine Yarra Valley Chardonnay, but the contents are even more impressive. From the Coldstream Hills sub-region, the grapes are whole bunch pressed to barrel, 20% of which are new, for a native yeast fermentation. The wine spends nine months in barrel. The wine has a gleaming straw hue and a nose offering a range of aromatics across exotic spices, nectarines, stonefruits, hazelnuts, honeycomb, mandarin and citrus notes. The wine is fresh with an appealing textural aspect, bright energy and excellent length. A lingering finish to a wine that will surely give pleasure for at least the next four 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.
