97 Points - Philip Rich | Best Pinot Noir - 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show
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 newly arrived and highly anticipated 2023 Oakridge Hazeldene Pinot Noir was a standout performer at the 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show. Sweeping the major categories, this collected three prestigious trophies, namely; the James Halliday Champion Wine of Show, Best Red Wine Of Show and Best Pinot Noir Of Show. This has also attracted widespread critical acclaim, including a massive 97 point review from Philip Rich in the Halliday Wine Companion.
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.
"97 Points. From '98 plantings of MV6 at Gladysdale. The fact that this was The James Halliday Wine of Show at last year's Yarra Valley Wine Show, beating the Hazeldene Chardonnay in the process, says it all. Perfumed and captivating aromas of red fruits, dark rose and a little whole-bunched-derived sous bois. Medium bodied, this silky-textured wine finishes with just the right amount of understated and persistent tannins. Irresistible now and, I'd imagine, over the next six to eight years plus. $48. 13.2% alc. Drink: 2025 - 2032. Screwcap."- Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion.
"95 Points. Oakridge’s Hazeldene Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 is an outstanding wine and quite incredible value, apart from anything else. This Hazeldene Vineyard Pinot Noir is in the same boat. The Hazeldene Vineyard is at Gladysdale in the upper Yarra Valley. The 2023 vintage was cool, and the quality here is hot. This pinot noir is as delicious as it is textural as it is complex. Everything here is for the win. It tastes of undergrowth, juicy red and black cherries, pomegranate, twigs and cedar, the latter served svelte. Reductive elements are not overt but they’ve been employed to positive effect. In the glass this wine does not seem bell clear and, so far as I’m concerned, that’s a very good thing. From every angle this is a high class wine.Tasted: Aug25. 13.2% alc. $48. Screwcap Drink: 2026 - 2032+"- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
