Willow Lake, 2024

Yarra Chardonnay made tight and fresh rather than buttery - nutty and rich in the middle, salty and brisk at the end.

Chardonnay from a cool, south-facing block of 1979 vines in the Yarra Valley, made by Adrian Rodda, who once helped choose fruit from this same vineyard for Oakridge. White nectarine and grapefruit, a little spice, nougat and hazelnut from a year resting in big French oak barrels. Firm and chalky with bright acidity and a long, salty finish. Rich in the middle but never buttery, and it will keep getting better in the bottle.