Oakridge Hazeldene Pinot Noir 2024
- 96
- $48
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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The Vineyard Series offers mirror images of the same vineyards in the Yarra Valley for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Always fascinating to see which variety really steps up. The 2024 vintage has provided us with a photo finish, although the nod probably goes to Chardonnay by a wafer-thin margin. That certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t some brilliant Pinots on offer, none more so than this stunning wine. Fermentation is by way of a combination of whole bunches and berries in open containers for two weeks before eleven months maturing in French oak. Pale crimson with a russet rim, this offers a beautifully fragrant nose with notes of florals, raspberries, dried herbs, cherries, spices, notably nutmeg and cinnamon, and kirsch. A Pinot Noir of finesse and focus, this is superbly balanced with impressive length. Like one imagines drinking silk would be. And such persistence. For enjoying over the next seven to ten years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
