96 Points - Campbell Mattinson | Best White Wine - 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 Chardonnay grown on Oakridge's north-facing Hazeldene vineyard on the red volcanic soils of Gladysdale.
This 2023 Oakridge Hazeldene Chardonnay is another vibrant, intensely flavoured offering with some serious appeal for lovers of premium, cool-climate Chardonnay. Light floral notes leap out of the glass, with plenty of nectarine, grapefruit, white peach and ginger notes coming together beautifully on the long, complex palate. Another impressive single vineyard offering from Oakridge.
"96 Points. This is right in the zone. The fruit is super intense and super long, the flint notes are measured, the texture judged just so. Bizarre thing to say, given the track record of this wine – HERE – but I was a bit taken aback by how dramatically good this is. Its quality strikes straight at you. Stonefruit, citrus, pears and apples with spice and flint notes spotting the highlights. It’s accessible for drinking now but there’s serious drive to the fruit; you could bank on this maturing well. Screwcap. 13.8% alc. $48. Drink: 2026 - 2033."- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
"96 Points. From chardonnay planted at the Hazeldene vineyard at Gladysdale in '13. Awarded the trophy for the Best White Wine at last year's Yarra Valley Wine Show, it's not hard to see why. Complex and full of energy with its bouquet of white peach, chalk, grilled nuts and a touch of flint. Fans out beautifully on the long, saline and very satisfying palate. Terrific now, this should age superbly over the next five to 10 years. $48. Drink to 2032"- Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion.
