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.
Since 2011, the range has also included a Bordeaux Blend, based around Cabernet Sauvignon also sourced from the Smiths Vineyard, and a Tempranillo from the Aquila Audax Vineyard, Adrian’s first foray with a Mediterranean variety.
A section of Willow Lake Vineyard’s Parkinsons Road Block was planted in 1979 in brown gradational soils over clay at an elevation of 270 metres above sea level. Unlike the majority of the Willow Lake Vineyard, the Parkinsons Road Block has a southerly aspect, with a consistent gradient across the entire block. Grapes were hand picked and pressed to 500 litre French oak puncheons (34% first use) without clarification or racking for non-temperature controlled fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was not encouraged so as to preserve freshness and natural acidity. The wine was rested on it lees for 10 months prior to bottling.
Intense, highly lifted aromas of grapefruit and white flowers combine with white stone fruit and gun smoke. The palate has a creamy flow supported by a saline, chalky texture encapsulated by mouth-watering natural acidity.
We are thrilled with this 2020 release! Only Chardonnay made in 2020. Fabulous wine on song power, seamless elegance and gorgeous balance
Review of 2019:
95 Points Campbell Mattinson, Hallidays Wine Companion “A fine, almost slender chardonnay with wood smoke and custard powder characters drifting through white peach and nectarine. There’s a vanilla note on the finish and a touch of oatmeal, but the truth is that this presents as a unified front, every step watched and considered. It looked ultra young on the tasting bench but all the signs are positive.” –
Reviews of 2018:
96 points, Jane Faulkner for 2020 Hallidays Wine Companion “A cracking chardonnay that’s pure class. Tight and linear with intense flavours of citrus and white stone fruit, ginger flower and moreish sulphides. Complex, deep with a very long finish. Wow.”
LAST OF THIS VINTAGE – Our Price $54.99
(New vintage also available here in Special Buy)
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