Made from two blocks, the fruit was handpicked and whole bunch pressed seeing 20% new French oak for ten months before another six months in tank before bottling. All up, 1000L was produced from a cool, low cropping vintage so availability of this is scarce.
Winemaker Tim Dexter tells me some of the fruit normally used for this label wasn't up to scratch and was declassified to the Barkala Chardonnay in the Vineyard Series - there's a tip for bargain hunters...
Scents of match stick and flint get my attention early. Gorgeous aromas of torched meringue have me sitting bolt upright too. Awash with detail and interest as you can only expect from Oakridge, think white fleshed stonefruit, praline, almonds and fine threads of cashews. Concentrated lemons weave throughout delivering focus and energy. The precision on display is elite. A Mediterranean tonic texture oozes class and delivers an impeccable moreishness. Just wow.
Utterly brilliant and one of the best Chardonnays I have been privileged to come across.
Drink to eight years+
98/100
Region: Yarra Valley
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