Oakridge Wines Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay
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.
Pacha Mama Chardonnay
Pacha Mama has put down roots, out in the sticks, amidst the vines of Yarra Glen. This Chardonnay celebrates its Yarra Valley home. It's vibrant, yet complex. There's a bit of fruit, burnt matchsticks mingle with melon and citrus. It's all about harmony and balance.
Paringa Estate Riesling
Paringa Estate is known as one of the finest small producers in Australia. Pinot Noir is the flagship variety, they also make Shiraz and Riesling. The fruit for this Riesling comes off 20 year old vines, and makes wine of intense focus, structure and finesse.
Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
Coldstream Hills has been consistently producing excellent Yarra Valley Chardonnay for years and if anything it keeps getting better. Stone fruit and grapefruit characters are supported by creamy nutty oak.
In Dreams Chardonnay
The Yarra Valley is one of the heavyweight regions for Australian Chardonnay, with finesse and length of flavour the hallmarks of the regional style. In the glass: Pale lemon green. On the nose: Apple, grapefruit, oatmeal and almond aromas. On the palate: Fine, elegant and poised yet with power and drive and a delicious core of white and yellow fruits. A savoury, almost salty layer adds complexity, velvety texture and racy acidity.
Warramate Chardonnay
The grapes used to craft Warramate Chardonnay were whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak barrels and stainless steel. This led to the creation of a pale straw coloured wine with light green hues highlighting its edges. The attractive bouquet is dominated by intense aromas of orange blossom, lemon citrus peel and sea spray minerality. This enticing Chardonnay flaunts a crisp palate containing tangy grapefruit, white peach and citrus flavours, coupled with light saline notes. A firm acid line balances these vibrant characters to culminate in a focused and lengthy finish. Crafted to be relished upon release, this wonderful white wine can also be cellared for 5 years. It tastes great with vegetable terrines, steamed fish and risotto.
Oakdene Wines Single Vineyard Liz's Chardonnay
Bright straw yellow. Complex bouquet, with notes of pear, white peach, and barley sugar with barrel ferment characters. Fresh and bright, with a generous mid palate weight, and a creamy texture, ripe white peach, oatmeal and pear balanced by citrus acidity and cedar spiced - oak finish. Chardonnay was destemmed and pressed direct to barrel for fermentation using wild yeast. Then matured in French oak barriques (30% new) for 12 months, with regular lees stirring and minimal MLF, then fined, filtered and bottled in February 2018. Enjoy now or cellar for 4 to 8 years.
Oakridge Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay
David Bicknell is a Chardonnay perfectionist with a passion for terroir and contrasts in the characters of different vineyard sites. In the glass: Bright fine straw with a green hue. On the nose: Fabulous purity and lift with ripe, complex stonefruit combining with lees and struck match magic. On the palate: A complex funky monster! It shows tremendous depth and umami being satiny soft throughout with amazing refined power and balance and extraordinary length and persistence. Classy!