Yarraloch Stephanie’s Dream Chardonnay 2022
- 94
- $80
- Drink by: 2025-2035
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This is a single vineyard Yarra Valley Chardonnay, made in a similar manner to the Estate wine. Again, 100% barrel fermentation after whole bunch pressing, wild yeasts, with the oak all 500-litre French puncheons, 37% new. Just 248 cases were made. Lemon straw in colour, the nose reveals spicy notes along with herbs, cashews, stone fruits, apricot skins and gives the impression of a breeze blowing gently across lavender fields. The oak is deftly handled and we see the emergence of some early complexity. The wine has balance, length, intensity, power and it really does need another two to three years before it will really kick into gear. At that stage, the sky is the limit. And it should drink beautifully for the following eight to ten 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.
