2014 Oakridge Estate "Willowlake Vineyard" Chardonnay Yarra Valley

Staff Reviews

KW

Kirk Walker

Kirk Walker

This wine is "Burgundian" but that is such a loaded and sometimes misleading term. I would rather say we have Chardonnay wines in the store, made in Burgundy, that are "Yarra Vallian". Better yet they wish they were more like this wine! Focus, purity, subtle richness, complexity and length you typically have to spend $40 or more to get a Burgundy that delivers all that wine wine does.

RW

Ryan Woodhouse

Ryan Woodhouse

Without straying too far from the classic Oakridge style we have come to know and love, this bottling from Willowlake is just a whisker more generous that some previous single vineyard expressions. While remaining at just over 13% abv, the flavors are slightly riper here, with less citric cut and a dash more roundness to the palate. Still focused, with bright acidity and wonderful drive on the palate...I think this is one of the more "crowd friendly" Oakridge Chards we have had to date and it's got the score to prove it! Insane value from our direct relationship.

Notes

Oakridge's wines re-define what many people think of Australian wines...they're the polar opposite of the over-ripe, over-extracted, "Fruit Bombs" as any wine can be. These wines are about balance, elegance and refinement. Winemaker David Bicknell is known as the "king of Chardonnay" in Australia, standing resolute as one of the best producers of the varietal in the country. With 25+ vintages under his belt, his crisp, flinty, mineral, Chablis inspired style has become a benchmark for a nation. All of his Chards are very focused and chiseled in form. The Willowlake Vineyard bottling is packed with crunchy orchard fruit, ripe citrus and toasty lees tones, struck flint, subtle matchstick and some baked apple pie flavors emerge in the glass; quite Meursault like with it's linear power. A very lively, dynamic wine, with fantastic purity and drive. (Ryan Woodhouse - K&L Aussie Wine Buyer)