2023 Oakdene Liz's Chardonnay

Appearance
Very pale straw.

Bouquet
Complex bouquet, with notes of green apple, white peach, and citrus rind with barrel ferment characters.

Palate
Bright and lifted, with a fine core of white stone fruit and citrus. Lemon rind, oatmeal and taut acidity driving the palate, with French oak and pithy notes contributing texture, balance and length.

Fermentation
Hand harvested Chardonnay was pressed and transferred to barrel for fermentation using wild yeast. Post ferment lees stirring was conducted on a fortnightly basis. The wine underwent partial (10%) malolactic fermentation, and was matured in French oak barriques (30% new) for 11 months prior to bottling in February 2024.

Conclusion
Enjoy now with food or cellar for 4 to 8 years.

REVIEWS & RATINGS

French Victorian Wine Show 2024 - Best Chardonnay

95 Points & Special Value Red Star, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion - 'Made with 10% mlf and matured in French barriques (30% new). A bright green gold. Restrained, with aromas of white nectarines, hazelnuts and a complexing waft of sea spray. Nicely delineated on the well-balanced, taut, saline and long palate. Will be even better 12–24 months from now. Good stuff'.

94 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 'It’s been a few years between drinks for Oakdene and me, though I must say, this is very much ‘hail-fellow-well-met’.  A little a la mode struck match, white peach, lime and lime rind, almond, with light biscuitty oak. It’s bright, has some citrus and green apple tang, green olive, lots of zip and energy, some cashew creamy richness in with that, plenty of chalk dust and flinty grip to texture, with a lively grapefruity finish of excellent length. It’s modern, but drinks really well, and gee, it has a pulse too. Very good Chardonnay. Very'.

90 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 'Light-mid yellow colour with a smoky reductive bouquet, big on smoked charcuterie and buttery croissant, oak is quite obvious, the flavour matches the nose and is reserved and fine but has attractive richness and length. Nice wine, showing the full paintbox of chardonnay characteristics'.

BEST CHARDONNAY - Air Liquide Concours des Vins du Victoria | The French-Victorian Wine Show