Oakridge Willowlake Chardonnay 2022
- 95
- $48
- Drink by: 2024-2032
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The Oakridge range of Vineyard Series Chardonnays (and Pinots, for that matter) should be on every wine lover’s radar. This is a fabulous range, and offers excellent expressions of terroir for those keen to see just how much that concept affects their wines. They are also stonking value. Okay, perhaps not everyday drinking but almost unanimously, they drink better than many wines twice the price. Here, we look at what Willowlake has to offer. A very pale lemon hue. There are lovely aromatics here, especially if you give the wine a little time in the glass. Peaches, lemon meringue, cashews, florals like white jasmine, and a minerally support system. The richness in this wine builds slowly but relentlessly, and there is reliance on a seductive texture. With good focus, fine balance, juicy acidity and impressive length, this is a serious Chardonnay which will provide pleasure for the next six to eight 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.
