2023 Oakridge 864 Winery Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley

Fruit from a '96-planted vineyard. Matured in French barriques (35% new) for 15 months. A gorgeous deep purple. Aromas of crème de cassis, black cherry, crushed violets and a little graphite on the beautifully perfumed and complex bouquet. The medium- to full-bodied palate has terrific presence with superfine and persistent tannins making this a wine that can be opened now but is destined to age superbly over a decade and probably longer. Drink 2025 to 2035.

97 points Special Value Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2025

The 2023 864 Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. The tannins—let us go straight to those for now—are present in every facet of the wine. They are malleable and ductile, ultra fine and yet supportive, and I find this to be an astoundingly sophisticated example of Yarra Valley Cabernet. The bouquet leads with pressed flowers and sandalwood, forest floor/moss, scraped vanilla pod, sweet roasted marrow, cardamom and raspberry leaf. What a wine. Sheesh. Drink 2025 to 2038.

97 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, September 2025

A really youthful red in the glass. There’s classic and pretty cooler climate cabernet aromas of bramble, earth, blackberry, mulberry, lead pencil, cedar and dried herbs. The palate is mid-weight, layered, mouth-filling and full of lovely cabernet purity. Dark fruited, fine and briary, with line, poise and presence. The tannins deliver texture and length and the acidity is bright and crunchy. Drink 2025 tto 2040.

95 points Aaron Brasher for The Real Review, October 2025

Oakridge has become one of the Yarra Valley's most trusted voices under Chief Winemaker David Bicknell.

The 864 wines are single block varietal expressions released only in the finest vintages. The north-facing Winery Block sits on the Oakridge estate at Coldstream on grey alluvial loams and was planted in 1996 using cuttings from the original 1970s Oakridge vines.

The lineage from those first plantings gives the block a particular character that has been consistent and expressive across every vintage. The 2023 season was cool and extended, with harvest running into mid-April suiting Cabernet particularly well. The result is Yarra claret, light on its feet, precise and elegant rather than powerful and extracted.

Deep red with a fresh purple hue, the nose is intense and inviting, with aromas of blackberry, cassis and red currant with mountain herbs, rosemary, sage and violet. The palate has a bright, crunchy entry of currants before deeper Cabernet flavours and texture unfold. A wine of real presence and composure, and a long, refined finish.

Worth giving some air after opening. Enjoy with roasts of premium lamb or beef.

Drink now through 2038.