Made by 5-star Halliday Winery Oakridge these Over the Shoulder wines offer excellent value for money. Dry, textural and crunchy with pristine pear flavours, this is a refreshing alternative to NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

The 864 Henk Aqueduct Chardonnay carries complex aromas of struck match, white nectarine, fennel seed, and lime skin. Its palate is crystalline, and floral, with subtle mineral, toast, and vanilla bean nuances. The Aqueduct block, within Henk Vineyard, planted in 2008 on Woori Yallock’s red volcanic soils, is north-facing at 260 metres. The vines of Dijon 95 clone are farmed to yield 4.3 tonnes per hectare. Grapes are hand-picked and sorted before being pressed to French oak (20% new) as whole bunches. After fermentation, the wine rests on lees for 10 months in barrel, followed by 6 months in tank. Representing the pinnacle of winemaking at Oakridge, the 864 range are high-scoring, limited-release, single-block wines that stand out internationally as exceptional varietal examples.

The 864 range features exceptional wines from specific and single blocks, produced in small quantities and released in only the best years. An Oakridge 864 wine is terroir-driven, made to demonstrate the importance of time and place with every bottle, and always a tribute to tradition. The 864 Syrah is sourced from the Oakridge Vineyard, Close Planted Block. This vineyard is east-facing at 120 metres above sea level. Planted at 5,200 plants per hectare in the grey alluvial loams of Coldstream using the R6VW28 clone and cropped at 6.7 t/Ha. The wine is vibrant purple in appearance with a ruby hue. Opulently fruited on the nose, with aroma of dragonfruit, blueberry and plum leading to notes of cassis. Elements of black olive, green pepper, bunch spice and toast add complexity. The palate is expansive, textural and concentrated with a generous core of blue and purple berried fruits, long chains of plush velvety tannins are intricately woven within the fruit providing length and supportive structure. A subtle line of acid keeps the wine on point, never wavering. Pure, succulent and refined from start to finish.

OAKRIDGE WINES 864 Winery Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley

The aspiration of Oakridge LVS -- or Local Vineyard Series -- wines is to be outstanding expressions of single vineyards within the Yarra Valley. Local Vineyard Series wines enable wine lovers to compare and contrast the power of terroir and geography in winemaking. In essence, different grape varieties thrive in different soils, and Yarra Valley terroirs and altitudes vary widely. Oakridge’s expertise and understanding of the region allows viticulturists and winemakers to match a particular variety with a particular site -- with marvellous results. Almost all LVS wines are cellarworthy.

Undoubtedly one of Australia's greatest Chardonnay's, the Oakridge 864 wine is terroir-driven. Made to demonstrate the importance of time and place with every bottle. This wine is comparable to top-end Burgundies. Ageing has enabled the acidity to slightly soften and the regional minerality to come to the fore, meaning the 2012 vintage is definitely one for the collection!

David Bicknell is a Chardonnay perfectionist with a passion for terroir and contrasts in the characters of different vineyard sites. In the glass: Bright fine straw with a green hue. On the nose: Fabulous purity and lift with ripe, complex stonefruit combining with lees and struck match magic. On the palate: A complex funky monster! It shows tremendous depth and umami being satiny soft throughout with amazing refined power and balance and extraordinary length and persistence. Classy!

Oakridge are at their best with premium Chardonnay, and it shows here. This is their signature; delicious nectarine and minerals, finely textured structure and gorgeous length.

Pale straw-green with a super-fine bead. This is very composed and complex, the 6 years on lees producing an array of different notes, some related to fruit others to that extended lees ageing. Sourdough crust, buttery pastry, green apples, toast, candied peel, white pepper and lime leaf all vie for attention. The palate reflects these flavours but also reveals stone fruit notes and a green apple crunchiness. The finish dry and savoury, the lemon-citrus acidity teasing out the length. A complex, refined wine that has depth of flavour, weight, texture and above all freshness.