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.

The 2015 Cherry Tree Hill Chardonnay is a great example of a cool climate wine. The depth of amazing fruit is complimented perfectly by subtle oak tannins integrated from ten months ageing in large format French and Hungarian oak barrels.

Airlie Bank dares to treat drinkers with respect by delivering wines that are delicious and true - as well as remarkably good value. Tim Shand and the team enjoy freedom to push boundaries. Their small-batch ethos has led to a great deal of creativity and ever-decreasing doses of sulphur. Bright acitity on the nose with doughy, bready complexities. This wine is fresh and vibrant with a focussed palate structure of apple blossom and citrus characters with complex brioche notes.

This Chardonnay has plenty of robust varietal aromas of stone-fruits and melon on the nose, which is well supported with spicy oak. The palate has a soft creamy mouthfeel while maintaining a tight structure that includes well defined fruit flavours of melon, pears and a touch of citrus acidity bound by well integrated French oak.

Picked from a block of gris on the Napoleone Vineyard in the Yarra Valley which is nurtured to hang a touch longer, with better tannin maturity than the fruit picked for the Punt Road Pinot Gris. Whole berry and whole bunch ferments are conducted in isolation in one-tonne open pots. They were pressed separately to oak this year, but in the end both went in their entirety into the blend. The bunch ferments developed a very significant funk this year, and it was good to see this in the finished wine. The berry ferments supply musk flavour and fruit sweetness. Its all about the bunch though: Campari, aniseed and kombucha. Unfined and minimally filtered. The perfect companion in Spring or Summer.

A lovely off white, copper hue to the wine. Not quite rose, but a really appealing blush. The nose has mandarin peel, fennel and a touch of funk and wet earth. Palate is racy, with cumquat and dried flower notes. Finishes with a vanilla note, and a savoury, phenolic bite. Theres skinsy and bunchy notes throughout, but they are in harmony with the pristine fruit and energy of a white wine from this cool, humid year.