Yarraloch Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
- 93
- $50
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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2022 was a fine vintage in the Yarra Valley. This cracking Chardonnay came from a blend of clones. Whole bunch pressing, followed by 100% barrel fermentation with wild yeasts. The oak was 500-litre French puncheons, 1/4 of them new. Just 380 cases made. The colour was a gleaming straw/yellow. Finely crafted, there is oak which is still in the process of integrating, but it is going well and giving us some appealing nutmeggy notes. The nose sees stone fruits, peaches, florals and herbs. This is balanced and refined with excellent length, a seamless style of Chardonnay which is most appealing. Good intensity, but it remains light on its feet which delivers an excellent Yarra Chardonnay for drinking over the next eight 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.
