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Good flesh here though; medium-bodied, good weight and sweep of acidity with a crispness to the finish 95, 96 clone Chardonnay from two vineyards, one in Red Hill and one in Tuerong. Barrel ferment, lees stirred. 20% MLF. 15% new French oak. 10 months in the barrel. Sam, Kaspar and Will pick the fruit on the up-curve (i.e. crux of flavour and freshness) bearing in mind the warmer side of the Mornington Peninsula is part of the equation here.

This is a classic Yarra Valley Chardonnay from the Wedgetail estate, elegant, generously and voluptuous in style. It offers aromas of citrus, cashews, pear and a hit of vanilla. The mouth fill is full and satisfying with a crisp finish. Drinking beautifully now, and if well cellared will age gracefully for the next 5 to 8 years.

Troy Payten and Ben Jones are making wines with soul & personality out of the Yarra Valley. They have a tremendous passion for wine, something that can be found in every glass of their wines. Fruit comes from Tarrawarra and is handled with all the classic chardonnay techniques. Oak maturation, malolactic fermentation and long lees contact. The result is a flinty style with notes of toast and whipped cream. Yum!

Oakridge Wines Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay, Yarra Valley The wines from the Willowlake Vineyard provide a fascinating contrast to those from the Henk Vineyard. First planted in 1992, the vineyard is located near Gladysdale and boasts red volcanic soils and an elevation of 170 metres. Like every wine in the Vineyard Series, minimal intervention in the winery is the name of the game. After hand harvesting, whole bunches are included in the fermentation which takes place in 500 litre French oak puncheons. After nine months maturation on yeast lees, the resulting wine serves up complex characters of citrus, nectarine, fresh dough and gun flint. In a word, its sublime.

This single-vineyard wine represents our first steps in exploring the clonal possibilities for extending and enhancing the future prospects for continued premium Chardonnay production on the Yarra Valley floor in a warming climate. Incorporating a lead from the historic practice of the warm region southern Rhône Valley whereby complementary companion varieties are blended together to provide further structure, harmony and complexity, we have incorporated a small percentage of Grenache Blanc in this first point of our learning curve. The wine walks a measured line between tension and weight, sinew and silk. Aromas of white nectarine, Makrut leaf, lime marmalade, nashi pear, jasmine bud, pyrethrum daisy, creamed macadamia and marzipan abound. The palate walks a fine line of tautness and relief, featuring grapefruit pith, lemon thyme, nougat and Artemesia, Weighted and moreish tactile phenolics help draw the palate to a long finish.