Description
Adrian Rodda has been involved in making wine since 1998, spending more than decade at Oakridge Wines in the Yarra Valley. In 2010, Adrian moved to Beechworth in the North East of Victoria to produce a Chardonnay from the Smiths Vineyard, the oldest vineyard in modern Beechworth viticulture. In 2012, Adrian commenced the “Chardonnay Project” whereby he sources grapes from the Willow Lake Vineyard in the Yarra Valley and vinifies them in parallel with the Smiths Vineyard Chardonnay. In 2017, a third single vineyard Chardonnay was produced from the Baxendale Vineyard at Whitlands in the cool upper reaches of North East Victoria.
About this wine: The Baxendale Vineyard, situated just north of the Mansfield-Whitfield Road, was planted in 1995 in tertiary volcanic soils over rhyolite at 600 metres above sea level. The block has a consistent northerly aspect.
Grapes were hand picked and pressed to 500 litre French oak puncheons (34% first use) without clarification or racking for non-temperature controlled fermentation. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine was immediately sulphured to preserve freshness and acidity and rested on its lees for 12 months. The wine was transferred to tank for a further 4 months prior to bottling.
About this wine from the winemaker: Highly lifted aromas of red apples and meadow flowers are complex with secondary characters of flint, spice and wet stone. On the palate, intense minerality combined with fine acidity and lees complexity create a mouthfeel that is tactile, velvety and creamy yet focused and intense. The interaction between refined acidity and chalky phenolics gives the wine focus and length, finishing with a savouriness that is just “al dente”. An elegant wine that is long, savoury, and refreshing.
Winner – Top Gold and Best in Region at James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge 2023 for the 2022 release.
95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “ Whitlands, planted 1995 and sitting at 600 meters above the level of the sea. A real salt-crusted lime Margarita affair here, with green olive, green apple, and a fair bit of struck match. It’s tight and saline, pink grapefruit, lots of zip to acidity, fine chalky grip, and so much energy, a little clove and ginger spice via sensible oak input, with a zesty finish of excellent length. Here’s a spicy and electric example of modern Australian Chardonnay.”
RRP $53 Our Special Price $45.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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