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 Willowlake 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 Willowlake 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 (35% 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 3 months prior to bottling.
Highly lifted aromas of pink grapefruit, citrus blossom and wet stone combine with white nectarine and freshly grilled nuts. The mouthfeel is initially lithe with intense minerality that flows into a creamy, velvety texture supported by lemon pithe and a light chalkiness. The finish is precise and long with a saline texture making the wine incredibly complex and morish.
Trophy Winner Best Yarra Chardonnay in Hallidays 2022 Chardonnay Challenge for 2021 release
94 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Grapefruit and nectarine, almond and light spice, fine perfume. Cool feeling wine, zesty style with lemon peel, nutty and savoury, plenty of acid bite, but gently creamy too, with a fine chalk dust finish of excellent length. A little bony and discreet, perhaps, but has flavour and appealing texture. Saline too. A couple more years should see it right.”
RRP $64 Our Price $57.99
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