NEWS
Halliday Top 100 - Oakdene Chardonnay
2019 Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Chardonnay, makes it in to the Halliday Top 100!
The 2020 edition of Halliday’s Top 100 has landed, and our 2019 Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Chardonnay has been selected as one of the best by category in the Best Whites under $25! This Chardonnay is rated 94 points and is one of only 5 Chardonnays featured in the category!
Each year James invites the top-rated wineries listed in the Wine Companion to submit six of their best wines for review. This year 1055 wines from 325 wineries were submitted, so to make the list for the second year in a row (2018 Bellarine Shiraz made it in last year), was a fantastic boost for our team!
This wine is still available for order and at the cellar door, but if it is one of your favourites too, don't wait to order because it will be a sell out!
2019 Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Chardonnay
94 points, James Halliday -"Fermented and matured for 10 months in new and used French barriques. Gleaming straw-green hue. The quality of the fruit is obvvious; the wine already in the saddle; the gait smooth and supple; white stone fruit, citrussy acidity and creamy cashew in harmony"
End of Harvest at Oakdene
Some things remain the same.....
Harvest for the 2020 vintage is finished! What a relief for the team who work tirelessly all year to prepare our fruit. This is Sal & KJ earlier in the year, training the vines. These days we all work a bit further apart!
The last to come off was the Shiraz in our Lighthouse vineyard, which will become our 2020 Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Shiraz. The yield may be down a little, but the fruit quality is exceptional.
Our Single Vineyard William Shiraz also came off recently at our Wallington vineyard where we hand pick a percentage of the fruit for whole bunches.
Two completely different styles, both very much worth trying!
2018 Bellarine Penisula Shiraz
Deep garnet in apparance with a bright lifted savoury bouquet of, dark plummy fruit and black olive. Fine sauvory palate driven by red, purple and black fruits. White pepper and spice. Medium bodied, fine tannin and balanced acidity. Shiraz was destemmed, and then fermented in small open vats. Pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and matured in French oak barriques (10% new) for 11 months, then bottled in February 2019. Drink now or over the next 2 to 8 years.
95 Points, James Halliday Top 100 2020
"Open-fermented in small pots, then matured in French oak for 11 months. A most attractive assemblage of bright, supple red and purple fruits, the oak hovering but not threatening the fruit, the tannins exemplary, the pinch of spice well selected".
2017 Oakdene Single Vineyard William Shiraz
Deep red purple with a highly perfumed nose of white pepper, spice and abundant black and red fruits leading to slightly sappy whole bunch notes. Medium bodied palate, with savoury dark berry fruit characters, licorice, spice and white pepper notes. Ripe tannins and well-integrated French oak. Balanced acidity, and a long savoury finish. Highly enjoyable now, or cellar over the next 5 to 15 years.
Gold Medal and Trophy for Best Shiraz Geelong Wine Show 2019
95 Points James Halliday Wine Companion 2020
"Hand-picked, wild yeast fermented in small open vats with 15% whole bunches, matured in French barriques (30% new) for 16 months. Oakdene has decided to go for it in this spectacular vintage, and has got off to a flying start with this sumptuous wine. Picked at a modest baume level, it has the power more commonly found in the Barossa or Eden Valley at 14.5%-15% alcohol. This also has fine-grained tannins in best cool climate style."
Oakdene Halliday Wine Companion 2020
2020 Halliday Wine Companion
Every year the release of Halliday's Wine Companion draws a lot of attention and excitement and the release of the 2020 edition is no exception.
This year Oakdene has 6 wines rated 94 points or above and retained a 5 red star rating for the sixth year running keeping Oakdene in the top echelon of Australian producers.
Here is a snapshot of our scores and reviews.
95 points, 2017 Oakdene Single Vineyard William Shiraz
Hand-picked, wild yeast fermented in small open vats with 15% whole bunches, matured in French barriques (30% new) for 16 months. Oakdene has decided to go for it in this spectacular vintage, and has got off to a flying start with this sumptuous wine. Picked at a modest baume level, it has the power more commonly found in the Barossa or Eden Valley at 14.5%-15% alcohol. This also has fine-grained tannins in best cool climate style.
95 points, 2017 Oakdene Single Vineyard Bernard's Cabernets
71% merlot, 16% cabernet franc, 13% cabernet sauvignon. Fine and elegant, the varieties complement each other with redcurrant, plum, cedary spice and pencil shavings amongst the aromas you can pick up on the bouquet, and a suite of similar flavours on the palate. It's long and supple with enough grip to encourage cellaring.
94 points, 2018 Oakdene Single Vineyard Jessica Sauvignon
Hand-picked, crushed, pressed to French barriques (15% new) for cultured yeast fermentation and 8 months maturation. High quality estate fruit, matched by skilled winemaking. This is a wine of real quality and stamina, its citrussy acidity driving the long palate and aftertaste.
94 points, 2017 Oakdene Single Vineyard Liz's Chardonnay
Wild-fermented in new and used French barriques. Attractive and generous in an open-hearted fashion, with white and yellow peach fruit, citrussy acidity and cashew/oak. Good overall balance and length.
94 points, 2017 Bellarine Peninsula Pinot Noir
Estate-grown, fermented in small open fermenters, matured in new and used French oak for 11 months. A highly expressive bouquet reflects the vinification (some French oak in particular), and the underlying quality of the fruit. The palate is plump, rich and textured. There's lots on offer here, now or in 10 years time.
94 points, 2017 Oakdene Single Vineyard Peta's Pinot Noir
Wild-fermented with some whole bunches to build spicy notes on the bouquet and palate, matured for 12 months in new and used French barriques. The bouquet is fine, the palate needing time to settle down (which it will do).
94 points, 2018 Oakdene Late Harvest Riesling
Probably not quite what is expected of a late harvest style in 375ml packaging, that being more typical of a luscious dessert wine. The water-white colour is an indicator. Following that there's ripe and aromatic riesling character on the bouquet, and a palate which is certainly sweet, but light on it's feet with crisp acidity escorting it all the way. Drink now and enjoy I'd say.
91 points, 2018 Bellarine Peninsula Pinot Grigio
Shows some skins/lees type savoury characters on the bouquet, along with the usual ripe pear aromas of the variety and a hint of apple pie with cinnamon. Nicely textured palate, quite mouthfilling, and offering sweet fruit flavour and lively youthfulness. It has reasonable acidity but it's basically soft and forward in style, so drink now is the way to go.
91 points, 2018 Bellarine Peninsula Rose
Made from whole bunch pressed pinot noir. Lifted aromas of strawberry, fresh and inviting, and there's a 'vinosity' of aroma that can sometimes be missing with rose. Flavours are light but attractive, red berries leading the way with rose water and watermelon in addition. Finishes well with a pleasantly astringent twist.
91 points, 2017 Bellarine Peninsula Shiraz
Estate-grown, open-fermented, matured in French barriques for 11 months. Excellent hue and depth. Well made, with a crosscurrent of red and black cherries on one hand, some muted savoury/leafy notes on the other. The overall balance is good, as is the length.
89 points, 2018 Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Sauvignon Blanc
Generous fruit, mostly in the riper spectrum for the variety, although there's a background of more herbal characters and some evidence of the post-ferment time on lees. The flavours are fresh and juicy, just lacking the intensity for a higher score but there'll be few complaints from the customers.
Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Sauvignon Blanc - 95 Points
“No-frills winemaking throws all the focus onto the fragrant bouquet and highly expressive palate. Has thrived in the cool vintage, and created something special, tropical/lemongrass notes – unusual bedfellows that have clearly been well satisfied by their union..”
Another recipe from Marty@Oakdene
He has done it again! Chef Marty, from Marty at Oakdene has once again shared with us two mouth watering recipes and this time it is an Oakdene staff favourite, Pork Belly!
In case you are still trying to decide on what you should make for Christmas lunch, have a look at these two delicious options, crispy pork belly and papaya salad with sticky palm sugar syrup or slow cooked pork belly with sichuan pear, pickled daikon and king brown mushrooms. Yummmmmm!!!
We think that pork is perfectly matched with a dry, fruit driven wine like the Oakdene Ly Ly Pinot Gris or the Oakdene Bellarine Peninsula Pinot Grigio, both available at our cellar door.
You can download Marty’s recipes here and try it for yourself!
A Christmas Turkey Feast, Matched with Oakdene Pinot Noir
Our very own revered Chef Marty, from Marty at Oakdene has shared with us two mouth watering recipes to make your Christmas Turkey a little bit fancy.
Complete with all the trimmings, slow cooked escalope with bacon and chestnuts or Malaysian style turkey breast with aromatic spices and saffron potatoes. Sounds delicious right?
Turkey is the perfect match for Oakdene Peta’s Pinot Noir and our Bellarine Pinot Noir. This lighter style of red wine pairs beautifully with it's subtle oak spices and would also be well enjoyed with roast chicken.
You can download Marty’s recipes here and try it for yourself!
Spoil Dad this Fathers Day!
FATHER’S DAY RED WINE & CHOCOLATE PACK
Father’s Day is only around the corner and we have put together a special 'Oakdene RED Wine & Cuvee Chocolate Pack’ which sure to make Dads day.
Spoil him with our special pack which includes one bottle of Oakdene 2015 Bernard’s Cabernet, matched with Cuvee Chocolate, 70gm - Amphora (65% Cocoa) and one bottle of Oakdene 2016 Bellarine Peninsula Shiraz matched with Cuvee Chocolate, 70gm - Grand Cru (75% Cocoa), all packed in a gift box.
For only $80,this delicious treat is available from our Cellar Door and website right through until the big day,* don’t let Dad miss out!
*Please allow time for shipping if purchasing online
2016 Oakdene Jessica Awarded Best Sauvignon Blanc at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards
OAKDENE VINEYARDS 2016 JESSICA SAUVIGNON, 96 points
Awarded Best Sauvignon Blanc at the 2018 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
We are thrilled that our very own Oakdene 2016 Jessica Sauvignon has tonight taken out the top place in its category at the Halliday Australian Wine Companion Awards! The wine was named Best Sauvignon Blanc and awarded 96 points.
These awards coincide with the release of the latest edition (2018) of the influential manual, James Halliday’s’ definitive guide to Australian Wine.
First produced in 2008 from our 5 acre Sauvignon Blanc parcel planted in 2002. Jessica Sauvignon was considered a project wine with the aim of producing an alternate style to the fruit driven Sauvignon Blanc gaining a strong foothold in the market.
The 2016 Jessica Single Vineyard Sauvignon, benefited from a slightly warmer growing season than usual, the bouquet displays gooseberry, guava with citrus overtones and subtle barrel ferment characters. The palate is full and complex with restrained tropical fruits, vanilla and a mineral edge, leading to a creamy and rich mid palate, lively acidity and a long textural finish.
A small quantity is available as a celebratory pre-release via our Cellar Door or click here to purchase direct.
Cuvee Chocolate comes to Oakdene
This is a match made in heaven!! Cuvee Artisian Chocolate is coming to Oakdene cellar door to Match our wine with their chocolate!
Cuvee by Deniz Karaca is the newest love child of Australia's number one choclatier and pastry chef.
Cuvee Chocolate has been specially crafted to compliment wine. The day to visit and taste, at the Upside-Down house cellar door, is the 11th of February 11am-4pm, just in time to buy that special someone the perfect gift for Valentines day. You could match a sparkling with the Soleo, milk chocolate or a pinot noir with the medium dark Amphora, and for all you shiraz lovers, why not try the Gand Cru extra dark chocolate.
Come and see us, you know you want to!!!
Oakdene Wines and Tulip Restaurant Dinner
Come and enjoy an amazing night at Tulip Bar and Restaurant, Geelong. Oakdene will be matching wines from their current and museum cellar with a stunning menu put together by Tulip. For all you foodies out there, this is one NOT to be missed.
Oakdene Vineyards
Dinner at Tulip Restaurant
Thursday 9th June 2016
5 Waves & Matched Wine for $110pp
6:30pm for a 7pm Start
Call 5229 6953 to Book
Menu
Olives
Salad of Carrots, Shanklish & Saltbush
Cured Salmon, Buttermilk & Celery
2012 Matilda Blanc de Noirs
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Poached Rockling, Parsnip, Lentils & Eel
2013 Liz’s Single Vineyard Chardonnay
2008 Liz’s Single Vineyard Chardonnay
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Otway Pine Mushrooms, Jerusalem Artichoke & Chestnuts
Dry Aged Duck, Radicchio and Celeriac
2013 Peta’s Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
2008 Peta’s Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Kangaroo, Shallots, Rye Cream, & Bitter Chocolate
Brussels Sprouts Parmesan and Swede
2009 William Single Vineyard Shiraz
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Quince Rhubarb Rose & White Chocolate
2015 Late Harvest Riesling
**All dishes are designed to be shared and will be served in waves
***Please advise us of any allergies