96 Points - Ray Jordan | 96 Points - Ken Gargett
Oakridge has long been considered one of the stars of the Yarra Valley and among the finest cool climate winemakers in Australia. The 'Vineyard Series' explores the unique 'terroir' of individual Yarra Valley sites; with grapes for this Pinot Noir grown on Oakridge's north-facing Hazeldene vineyard on the red volcanic soils of Gladydale.
The 2024 vintage release of Oakridge Hazeldene Pinot Noir follows in the footsteps of the highly acclaimed 2023 vintage (Best Red Wine - 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show). Another complex, flavoursome offering with impressive depth and wide appeal, this opens with lovely aromatics of red berry, fruits of the forest, pomegranate along with a touch of Asian spice. The palate has a great vibrancy of fruit flavour that is balanced perfectly with supple fruit tannins, raspberry and dark cherry flavours abound with a bright acid line providing drive. A high quality single vineyard Yarra Pinot Noir that offers exceptional value-for-money at this price.
"96 Points. Not as immediately aromatic as others in the vineyard series, but it delivers deep and powerful intensity on the palate. It displays refinement and precision, with a brick dust character seamlessly integrated with red fruit and smoky oak. The firm spine and velvety smooth fruit suggest further evolution with aging. Drink: 2026 - 2038. $48."- Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot.
"96 Points. The Vineyard Series offers mirror images of the same vineyards in the Yarra Valley for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Always fascinating to see which variety really steps up. The 2024 vintage has provided us with a photo finish, although the nod probably goes to Chardonnay by a wafer-thin margin. That certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t some brilliant Pinots on offer, none more so than this stunning wine. Fermentation is by way of a combination of whole bunches and berries in open containers for two weeks before eleven months maturing in French oak. Pale crimson with a russet rim, this offers a beautifully fragrant nose with notes of florals, raspberries, dried herbs, cherries, spices, notably nutmeg and cinnamon, and kirsch. A Pinot Noir of finesse and focus, this is superbly balanced with impressive length. Like one imagines drinking silk would be. And such persistence. For enjoying over the next seven to ten years. Drink: 2026 - 2036. $48"- Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot.
