2024 Oakridge Hazeldene Vineyard Series Chardonnay

A graceful and beautifully fleshed Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

Matured in 500 litre French oak puncheons for a period of 16 months on lees. Brilliant very pale straw colour with a distinct greenish tint to the surrounding edges and a watery hue. Wonderfully refined yet intense nose with alluring scents of white peach, nectarine, dried honey and delicate cashew captivating the olfactory senses. Biscuity nougat and subtle gun flint notes ensue. Medium weight and graceful in its flow, the beautifully fleshed palate features rich white peach, nectarine and citrus fruits over a dried honey, biscuity nougat, spicy cashew and gun flint back drop. Fresh underlying acidity with a long generously textured finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Oakridge’s Hazeldene Chardonnay is a perennial favourite and this 2024 is another ripper. This wine is flush with fruit and long through the finish, and while its complexity more or less looks after itself there’s plenty going on beneath the bonnet. Nuts, yellow stone fruits, cooked apples, sweet meal and cracked wheat are all washed through with citrus, cedar and grapefruit. There’s a delicate aspect to the texture, in the best of ways. We are absolutely on song here. Drink 2027-2032+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

This wine is part of the Oakridge Vineyard Series. It should be noted at the outset that the Vineyard Series sits, at least in theory, below their prestige range known as ‘864’. To be honest, particularly with this Chardonnay, I think they might have a little trouble as it is very hard to imagine that even any of their wonderful 864 Chardonnays will be able to top this wine. This is an absolute cracker and while it may not be priced for daily drinking, it is ridiculously undervalued. For this money, good luck finding anything in Burgundy which comes within cooee. The Hazeldene Vineyard is in the Gladysdale sub-region. The wine was made by whole bunch pressing directly into 500-litre French oak puncheons, with a natural fermentation, and then fourteen months maturation. A shimmering pale lemon hue, the complexity and quality in this wine is immediately evident. The nose reveals notes of hazelnuts, stone fruits, citrus, grilled cashews, peaches, nectarines, melon and a touch of jasmine. The wine of exquisite balance, finesse and power, there is extraordinary length here. The intensity is maintained for the entire journey. A brilliant Chardonnay which will easily handle the next twelve years. Wow! Drink 2026-2038.
97 points
Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com