Bob McDonald

9.2

Another modern Australian Chardonnay like the recent Penfolds Bin 311 - flinty and reductive. On the palate Lemon Curd and under ripe stone fruit. With time and air the stone fruit became riper and sweeter. David Bicknell is one of Australia’s best winemakers particularly with Chardonnay. This is his budget Local Vineyard Series at only $32 per bottle. His premium range is called 864. Oakridge was recently named the best winery in Australia by The Real Review (Huon Hooke and Bob Campbell MW. ). Had another bottle on 22nd July 2023 (14 weeks later than first note) with notes as above. Modern, flinty and reductive. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Very pale yellow. Lime and other citrus - leaner than I prefer in a good Chardonnay. Fermented in 500 litre puncheons (no overt oak influence) and extended lees contact. Great winemaking as we have come to expect from Dave Bicknell but riper fruit would be preferred from this taster. Good QPR. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Nothing to add to my previous notes. A well made Chardonnay from Chardonnay specialist, David Bicknell. Made in the leaner style. Travelling well at 10 years. — 2 years ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Note this is Flux red blend (not Rose) and Last Bottle says the winemaker Jon Keyes worked for Mark Herold but this isn’t a MH wine…..ANYWAY it’s a very agreeable blend at an exceptionally agreeable price ($16) at LB - beautiful blackberry tones on the nose, light on the palate but not too fruity - I think some age would work well - reminds me of the FC Siena tho J thinks it’s lighter — a year ago

Ronda Hughes

10

Really liked this year of FC Cabernet — 2 years ago

Kale Iverson

9.4

By far my favorite offering from FC. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Treads the middle path between citrus and stone fruit - more lighter than full bodied. From one of Australia’s Premier exponents of Chardonnay in David Bicknell. No malolactic. Opened another bottle 27 weeks later on 16th April 2020 with similar notes. Very well made and great drinking for the price. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Similar notes to 71 weeks ago. Made by David Bicknell who is regarded by many experts in Australia as Australia’s premier exponent of Chardonnay - particularly by Roscoe at Prince Wine Store where I buy most of my wine. This was my last 2012 Willowlake 864 and it was singing. Nose of almonds, marzipan and nougat amidst the barrel ferment characters. Still carrying a nice acid line even at 10 years. Great intensity and complexity. More classy restraint than being full bodied. A regular purchase for me. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Pale lemon in colour. Very flinty - burnt match sulphidic notes on the nose yet peachy stone fruit on the light + weight palate which has medium + intensity. Really good. David Bicknell makes terrific Chardonnay. Tasted again 9 months later in early October 2022 with consistent notes. Those funky burnt match sulphides are a hallmark of this wine and really stand out - but they work. Stone fruit notes coming through on the palate. Handling 11 years of age with ease. — 2 years ago

Hanna R

9.2

Superb right out of the bottle. Dry, with a distinguished nose. Paired beautiful with a hearty pork stew. FC club. — 4 years ago