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.
About this wine from the winemaker: Complex and highly lifted aromas of citrus blossom, Meyer lemon and white nectarine combine with gun smoke 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 round, yet precise and long with a saline texture making the wine incredibly complex and morish.
95 points, Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion “A striking, quality chardonnay from a top Yarra Valley vineyard. Adrian Rodda is in his element, delivering a beautifully complex wine in grapefruit, lemon curd, spiced peach, crème brûlée and a gentle almond nuttiness. Good concentration meets fresh acidity on the palate with a light thread of biscuit. A fine, expressive, cool-climate chardonnay of note.”
93+ points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front ” .. White peach, grapefruit, almond friand (I love them), a little struck match and sweet spice. It’s a glossy wine, has some ginger and quinine bite, lime zest, cool but balanced acidity, and also, offers something of a nutty umami and green olive in brine character. There’s some white pepper tannin grip, and a cool spicy finish of good length. It’s maybe a little washy but it’s full of character and interest.”
RRP $64 Our Special Price $54.50 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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