Yarra Valley (2) Oakridge
Website: https://oakridgewines.com.au/
Oakridge has been through quite a few changes over the last 47 years, since its first vineyard was planted in 1978, which is early days for the modern Yarra scene. Jim Zitlaff was the original owner, and then in 2001 the winery was purchased by Evans & Tate of Margaret River fame. That’s when current chief winemaker Dave Bicknell was appointed. A few years later, in 2007, Oakridge was purchased by the D’Aloisio/Atlas families, and then in 2021 became part of the Endeavour Group, with their Paragon Wine Estates portfolio of Aussie and Kiwi wineries. These include Cape Mentelle, Chapel Hill, Isobel Estate and Josef Chromy.
I visited with Georgie Jacobs, who is one of the viticulturists, working under Steve Faulkner. First stop was at Five Oaks, which was planted in 1978 in Wandin, in the upper Yarra Valley. The Five Oaks vineyard that I visited is where Oakridge began: it was the source of the first wines. But a few years back the grower sold up and moved. Dave Bicknell had always wanted to buy this, because he’d been buying fruit for so long, and this gave him the opportunity. It has red volcanic soils that are quite deep.
Second stop was Henk vineyard, which is 12 hectares of Chardonnay (clone 95) and Pinot Noir (115, 777 and MV6), planted on red clay soils. This vineyard is leased. The wines are exceptional. We tried a few wines in the vineyard, and I’ve supplemented these notes with a few bottles tasted with Dave Bicknell a week earlier.
Oakridge is really leading the way now as one of the top wineries in the Yarra – and all Australia.
THE WINES
Oakridge 864 Pinot Noir Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard 2023 Yarra Valley, Australia
Two notes on this wine, tasted on separate occasions a few days apart. MV6 clone. Lovely aromatics of fresh red cherries with hints of iodine and a nice ferrous character. Silky texture with red cherries and an amazing ethereal character. So fine grained and floral with nice precision. 95/100
Oakridge 864 Pinot Noir Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard 2023 Yarra Valley, Australia
MV6 clone. There’s a lovely fine reduction on the nose with a ferrous, spicy edge to the energetic red cherry fruit. The palate is elegant and fine with a core of sweet, supple fruit. So fine and detailed, it’s an elegant wine but there’s an edge from the reduction which frames the red fruits so beautifully. This is quite remarkable, and I love the fine spicy detail and the bloody, mineral character in the background. 95/100
Oakridge Vineyard Series Hazeldene Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 Yarra Valley, Australia
This is from Gladysdale, at the bottom of Bastard Hill. 230 m altitude, nestled in among the gum trees. 60% whole bunch. This has real depth to it. Floral, perfumed red cherries and fine spices. Richly textured but still finishes fresh. Lovely purity to this wine which is really refined. Pleasure meets seriousness. 95/100
Oakridge 864 Syrah 2022 Yarra Valley, Australia
This is from the Oakridge Vineyard home block, 7000 vines/ha, Tahbilk clone. Lovely peppery edge to the red fruits nose. The palate is silky and elegant, and so refined. Peppery cool climate style with smooth red fruits and amazing texture. 96/100
Oakridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Yarra Valley, Australia
This comes from the Five Oaks vineyard. Vibrant, floral nose shows exotic red cherry and blackcurrant fruit, showing real freshness. Nice focus on the palate with textured red berry fruits and a bit of structure. For a cabernet this is very light on its feet. Very fine. 95/100
Oakridge Willow Lake Chardonnay 2023 Yarra Valley, Australia
Full solids to barrel, 20% new oak, then finishes with six months in tank on lees. Highly aromatic with some flinty, mineral notes as well as pear and green apple. The palate has amazing energy with a strong mineral quality. Lovely tensile, mineral style of Chardonnay. It has some pear and white peach richness, but citrus fruit dominates, with a long, tapering finish. 96/100
Oakridge 864 Chardonnay 2013 Yarra Valley, Australia
This is linear and fine with subtle matchstick minerality and notes of pear and citrus. Really refined with lovely balance and complexity. Such precision here. 96/100
Oakridge 864 Chardonnay 2015 Yarra Valley, Australia
Lovely weight of pear fruit with some nice texture, subtle white peach and a bit of spiciness. Very fine with lovely texture. 94/100
Oakridge 864 Chardonnay 2017 Yarra Valley, Australia
Ripe but restrained with lovely weight to the citrus and pear fruit with spice and minerals, as well as nice acidity. Supple with fine spices. Really expressive. 95/100
Oakridge Willowlake Pinot Noir 2022 Yarra Valley, Australia
20% whole bunch, open top fermenters, uninoculated, light extraction. Pressed to small oak. This is delicate and fine with lovely silky, ripe red cherries and plums. Has amazing texture, some prettiness and fine-grained structure with lovely purity. There’s a real harmony and luxury to this wine, which is very elegant. 95/100
YARRA VALLEY
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Oakridge
- 3 Tarrawarra
- 4 Jayden Ong Wines
- 5 Yarra Yering
- 6 Bobar with Tom Belford
- 7 Giant Steps
- 8 Mac Forbes
- 9 Rob Dolan
- 10 Timo Meyer
- 11 Luke Lambert
- 12 Other Yarra wines tasted
