2019 A. Rodda Willow Lake Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
A$42.00
Adrian Rodda has been making wine since 1998, almost entirely working with David Bicknell at Oakridge. He was involved in the development of the superb Oakridge 864 Chardonnay. At the start of 2010 he and wife Christie, a doctor, decided to move to Beechworth, and it was no coincidence that he was a long-term friend of viticulturist Mark Walpole. Yet further coincidences came with the Smiths Vineyard and winery being available for lease; he now shares it with Mark, who makes his Beechworth wines there. Even more propitious was the availability of Smiths Vineyard chardonnay, planted in 1978. The quality of the portfolio has been consistently excellent.
Availability:
Out of stock
SKU
ARDWLCH19
Adrian Rodda has been making wine since 1998, almost entirely working with David Bicknell at Oakridge. He was involved in the development of the superb Oakridge 864 Chardonnay. At the start of 2010 he and wife Christie, a doctor, decided to move to Beechworth, and it was no coincidence that he was a long-term friend of viticulturist Mark Walpole. Yet further coincidences came with the Smiths Vineyard and winery being available for lease; he now shares it with Mark, who makes his Beechworth wines there. Even more propitious was the availability of Smiths Vineyard chardonnay, planted in 1978. The quality of the portfolio has been consistently excellent.
Grapes were hand-picked and pressed to 500 litre French oak puncheons (34% first use) without clarification or racking. No malolactic fermentation. The wine was rested on lees for 10 months prior to bottling..
Highly lifted aromas of white flowers and ripe stone fruit combine subtle toastiness, lees and gun smoke. The palate has the Willowlake signature “creamy flow” combining oatmeal and vanilla with a chalky, saline texture finished by mouth-watering natural acidity.
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.
95 points Campbell Mattinson winecompanion.com.au
White peach, creamy almond, a little struck match, light spicy oak. Light, bright, very cool feel and fine acidity, a little ripe grapefruit but mainly this almond friand and white fruits. A whip of flint, and heaps good length. Such a smooth glide to this wine. And so good to drink.
95 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au May 2021 Drink 2021-2026
| Product/Service Sold Out | Yes |
|---|---|
| En Primeur | No |
| New Arrivals | No |
| Wine Type | White Wine |
| Wine Style | Traditional |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Yarra Valley |
| Varietals | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Wine Points | 95 |
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