Oakridge Wines 864 Founder and Diamond Chardonnay 2023 [JH 98]

Extremely limited production.

Chardonnay of the Year and Wine of the Year. From the Funder and Diamond vineyard, planted in Wandin East with the P58 clone in 1990. Hand picked and whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (20% new) for fermentation and 10 months' maturation before another six months in tank. Very bright. Aromas of stone fruits and lemon verbena together with some struck match, oyster shells and a little gently toasted hazelnut. There's a wonderful purity of fruit, too, on the superbly balanced, silken textured and tensile palate. At the risk of repeating myself, this is ‘grand cru’ quality Australian chardonnay but at a fraction of the price. 98 points.

Philip Rich

Published 07 August 2024