After twenty years of applying his passion and expertise to the countless vintages for local producers, renowned winemaker Bruce Dukes has launched Domaine Naturaliste his own range of wines, named for the southwest region where he has honed his craft.
Oakridge Wines Local Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay
The aspiration of Oakridge LVS -- or Local Vineyard Series -- wines is to be outstanding expressions of single vineyards within the Yarra Valley. Local Vineyard Series wines enable wine lovers to compare and contrast the power of terroir and geography in winemaking. In essence, different grape varieties thrive in different soils, and Yarra Valley terroirs and altitudes vary widely. Oakridges expertise and understanding of the region allows viticulturists and winemakers to match a particular variety with a particular site -- with marvellous results. Almost all LVS wines are cellarworthy. The Willowlake Vineyard is just outside Gladysdale in Victorias Upper Yarra Valley. Planted in 1979 at an elevation 300 metres, the cool-grown Chardonnay here ranks with the regions very best. Add the skills of leading Chardonnay exponent David Bicknell and these hand-picked grapes become wines that express their variety and origin with consummate precision and flair.
Oakridge Wines Local Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay 2017
Alive with the zest of intense grapefruit, white peaches and the silky nuances of smoky oak, this fresh concentration of stone fruit has some creamy textures, which means it pairs well with rich poultry and vegetables. - James Halliday's Wine Companion 2014: Top 'Dark Horse' Winery.
Beautifuly crafted Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. With big names like Devils Lair, McHenry Hohnen, & Flowstone as neighbouring vineyards you can expect a lot from Arlewood Cabernet. Wine whisperer Stuart Pym has crafted this pure Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with dusty red cherry and blueberry flavours that hit all the right notes.
A medium bodied wine with a fleshy mouth feel, displaying peach, nectarine, citrus blossom and subtle sweet oak. Well integrated acid with underlying complex savoury notes and a lingering finish.
Very small quantities of this wine made unfortunately. The wine is tight and intense which will ensure it ages well, some citrus to compliment the stone fruit and fine oak. Finishing with beautiful length and natural acid.
This wonderfully elegant Shiraz shows intense, pristine, blackberry fruit and ripe, silky tannins. It almost has a Pinot Noir elegance to it and, luckily, the quality of future vintages will only be getting better too as Voyager's new clones come on line.
This is a wonderfully concentrated wine. Complex on the nose with aromas of lemon, green apple and fig the palate shows lively flavours of citrus and melon and a beautifully textured crisp and long finish.
Margaret River is an under appreciated region for Australian Shiraz, and it's hard to see why with Cape Mentelle's Shiraz showing a vibrant core of blueberry, mulberry and hints of raspberry. It is well balanced with cocoa and savoury oak. The palate yet, is fine, elegant and focussed, finishing with chalky and structural tannins.
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay is a reflection of its sunny origin, expressing intense aromas of peaches, nectarines, aromatic herbs and biscuit. A light entry of stone fruit becomes a slippery mid-palate that re-focuses to an aromatic and mineral finish.