Willowlake Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Retail:

There is an intensity to the aroma of the wine, with notes of nectarine and grilled citrus. Hints of freshly risen dough, toast and gun flint reduction provides complexity.

Wine Details

Region Yarra Valley

State Victoria

Wine Type White Wine

Variety Type Chardonnay

Alcohol Percentage 13.2%

Background

The Vineyard Series matches specific varieties and sites to give you outstanding examples of single vineyard wines.

Tasting Notes

Pale straw in appearance with a pale green hue. There is an intensity to the aroma of the wine, with notes of nectarine and grilled citrus. Hints of freshly risen dough, toast and gun flint reduction provides complexity. The fresh yet textural palate has weight and depth with a pure preserved lemon like acidity forming its shape and adding crunch. Generosity and complexity continue throughout till culminating in a grilled grapefruit like finish. Bright and pure yet intriguing.

Vineyard Notes

This wine was sourced from the north facing Willowlake Vineyard, sited in the red volcanic soils of Gladysdale.

Winemaker's Notes

A traditional winemaking approach was used to produce this wine – handpicking and whole bunch pressing directly to 500 litre French oak puncheons for a natural fermentation followed by 10 months maturation on lees.

Vintage Notes

A long, cool growing season with average cropping levels and ample rainfall has resulted in wines with outstanding varietal definition and purity.

Awards

Title Melbourne Royal Wine Show 2022

Description Gold Medal

Title 2024 Halliday Wine Companion

Rating 97 / 100

Product Reviews (3)

Halliday Wine Companion - 97pts

“Another captivating Oakridge Chardonnay, this has scents of ripe stone fruits, a little yellow plum even and a hint of oyster shell. There’s wonderful depth and intensity on the mid-palate and the wine finishes taut, saline and long. While you’ll no doubt enjoy drinking this now, it’s worth giving this some time to fully come together and open up. Made with the same attention to detail as Oakridge’s flagship 864 Chardonnay, this really is a bargain for a single-vineyard Yarra Valley chardonnay of this quality.” – Philip Rich

The Wine Front - 95pts

“Willowlake was planted in 1978. This is another beautiful release under the Willowlake label. It shoots citrus through pure white peach, tosses roasted cashews into the juice of nashi pears, and suggests at flint without ever being overt about it. It has intensity, texture and length but, as well, it has that extra something, that little bit of wow.” – Campbell Mattinson

Q Wine - 95pts

“What a beauty! Oakridge has nailed another Chardonnay. From the Yarra Valley’s Woori Yallock district, this Henk vineyard is all class. Concentrated with charming depth, lovely lines of intrigue captivate. Lacy and rounded, that depth and focus can’t be missed. Barbecued nectarines, almonds, cashews, vanilla, there is more of a citrus presence here than the Hazeldene. A touch of flint tucks in behind too. Some tense grapefruit tightens the noose around the palate with a drive that brings the mouth to water. Sip slow and just embrace – another class act from Oakridge. Drink to eight years.” – Steve Leszczynski