96 Points - Jane Faulkner
Oakridge has long been considered one of the stars of the Yarra Valley and among the finest cool climate winemakers in Australia. Their 'Vineyard Series' explores the unique 'terroir' of individual vineyard sites throughout the Yarra Valley, paired with the skilled winemaking of David Bicknell and the team at Oakridge.
The 2019 Oakridge Willowlake Chardonnay follows in the footsteps of hugely popular recent vintages of this wine. Crafted from grapes grown on one of the oldest vineyards in the Yarra Valley; this is bursting with cool-climate flavours yet has a restraint and balance only found in the finest Australian Chardonnays.
"96 Points. All the chardonnays in the Vineyard Series are made identically, so capturing the essence of the place is paramount. This is so good. Flinty, fine, citrussy, long and pure. An ethereal style, yet so much going on. It's hard to pick a favourite in this range. They are all expressive. Today it's Willowlake, tomorrow … who knows? Drink to: 2030. $44.00 13.2% alc. Special Value Star"- Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2022.
"94 Points. Racy, lean, crisp, minerally. Flint and green apple juice to sniff on, same to taste with a gummy pucker of ‘liquid minerality’. Feels very energetic, an agenda to move fast, keep you hydrated and refresh the palate. Very precise, is another thing to say. A bit more juice and detail than some of the more skeletal Oakridge chardonnay releases. Really dig it. Tasted: MAY21 13.2% alc. $44 Screwcap Drink: 2021 - 2030+" - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
