97 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 Chardonnay grown on Oakridge's north-facing Hazeldene vineyard on the red volcanic soils of Gladysdale.
This 2024 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, Kaffir lime, white peach and ginger notes coming together beautifully on the long, complex palate. A Chardonnay of poise and sublime structure, this is available at the discounted price of $39.90 (RRP $48) for a limited time.
This wine is part of the Oakridge Vineyard Series. It should be noted at the outset that the Vineyard Series sits, at least in theory, below their prestige range known as ‘864’. To be honest, particularly with this Chardonnay, I think they might have a little trouble as it is very hard to imagine that even any of their wonderful 864 Chardonnays will be able to top this wine. This is an absolute cracker and while it may not be priced for daily drinking, it is ridiculously undervalued. For this money, good luck finding anything in Burgundy which comes within cooee. The Hazeldene Vineyard is in the Gladysdale sub-region. The wine was made by whole bunch pressing directly into 500-litre French oak puncheons, with a natural fermentation, and then fourteen months maturation. A shimmering pale lemon hue, the complexity and quality in this wine is immediately evident. The nose reveals notes of hazelnuts, stone fruits, citrus, grilled cashews, peaches, nectarines, melon and a touch of jasmine. The wine of exquisite balance, finesse and power, there is extraordinary length here. The intensity is maintained for the entire journey. A brilliant Chardonnay which will easily handle the next twelve years. Wow! $48. Drink by: 2026-2038"- Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot.
"95 Points. Oakridge’s Hazeldene Chardonnay is a perennial favourite and this 2024 is another ripper. This wine is flush with fruit and long through the finish, and while its complexity more or less looks after itself there’s plenty going on beneath the bonnet. Nuts, yellow stone fruits, cooked apples, sweet meal and cracked wheat are all washed through with citrus, cedar and grapefruit. There’s a delicate aspect to the texture, in the best of ways. We are absolutely on song here. Tasted: Mar26 13.5% alc. $48. Screwcap. Drink: 2027 - 2032+"- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.
