Doug Powers

9.2

Nice medium-toast oak up front, a little matchstick aroma as well, beautiful medium-weight fruit with great acid balance, long, lingering finish, excellent Yarra Valley Chardonnay! — a year ago

with Jim

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Willowlake vineyard. Very pale brick red but the palate is anything but light. Sweet intense red fruit with some savoury spice. Not complex, but powerful and elegant. Vgv for $36. — 2 years ago

Vhars Mack

9.0

Really nice pinot noir- we buy for birthdays and nice dinners.

Would buy again. — 6 years ago

Mary C

9.0

2015 Open too soon — 8 years ago

Stuart Robinson

9.2

Another cracking SB from the Out of Step crew — 10 years ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Oak aromas are more restrained and integrated in this Henk Vyd, fruit is a tad richer and deeper, but this also shows an excellent balancing acidity, rich fruit, long, lingering finish, I marginally prefer this to the Willowlake, but both are excellent Yarra Valley Chardonnays!! — a year ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.3

Red cherry fruit, this shows a tad richer and riper than the Henk, lovely balance and depth, long finish, very fine!! — 2 years ago

with Monique and Jim

Scott Rowe

9.3

Tasted blind beside the Oakridge willowlake.
Pinot Noir is a mind blowingly versatile grape. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid Lemon in colour. Notes of Citrus fruit more than stone fruit. On the palate the wine making techniques using sulphur post fermentation to prevent malolactic conversion and preserving high acidity was used. M plus intensity on Palate but in the leaner style compared to Margaret River. Wine Maker David Bicknell was just awarded the Gourmet Traveller winemaker of the Year. — 9 years ago

Devon L

9.3

Nice and easy to drink. — 11 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

A little flinty sulphidic note amongst the ripe grapefruit on the nose. From the well performed Willowlake Vineyard where other producers like Giant Steps and Oakridge have made excellent Chardonnay. This Rodda Chardonnay is also excellent with great QPR at only $35. Great intensity with white stone fruit and lively crisp acid. Rodda makes at least 2 other Chardonnay Cuvées at the same price, that should be annual purchases. Had my 2nd bottle taken to Lindsay McNaught’s 70th at Gips on Sunday 21st September 2025. Consistent notes. — 2 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. — 4 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.1

Prominent nose of bright red fruit with smoky stemminess. Jarring at first, but opens up to become very enticing. Bright red fruit palate with a great acid line and fine chalky tannins. Really enjoyable, and great with food. — 8 years ago

Heath Bradby

9.0

Light and tasty Pinot that's probably more in a French style than my usual steez but very nice and worth the hunt for it. Can't go wrong with a wine company named after a Minor Threat record! — 9 years ago