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!

Vibrant purple red. Lifted fragrant and fresh black and redcurrant fruit followed by jasmine like florals, ground spices, summer pudding and pannacotta. A secondary look with air shows whole bunch notes of spice and sauvage adding complexity. The palate is juicy soft and round, laced with black fruit, raspberries, white pepper and spices. Very much medium bodied, this has beautiful line of acidity that adds length and balance to the velvety, gentle core of sweet fruit. A pure, fresh, fragrant wine.

OAKRIDGE WINES 864 Winery Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley

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 864 Close Planted Block Shiraz, Yarra Valley

Oakridge 864 Block 1 Hazeldene Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 exemplifies single-site expression from the upper reaches of the Yarra Valley. Sourced from north-facing vines planted in the red volcanic soils of Gladysdale, this wine is crafted with meticulous hand-picking, a touch of whole-bunch fermentation, and careful ageing in French oak. The nose is vibrant, with lifted florals, fresh red berries, boysenberry and mountain herbs, and hints of subtle carbonic complexity. On the palate, vivid raspberry and plum characters glide along a net of silky, elastic tannins, with succulent fruit and fine structure carrying through to impressive depth and length.