Oakridge Hazeldene Pinot Noir 2021

"2021 is going to be a great year for Oakridge Pinot; I’m calling it now.  That comes off the back of this Goldilocks-like Oakridge Vineyard Series Hazeldene Pinot Noir 2021, which manages to be joyful and serious enough for a second glance/glass/bottle.  Sourced from Hazeldene at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra, with red volcanic soils and a north-facing aspect (Yarra Pinot paradise) it’s so bright, open and welcoming too – red raspberry/strawberry fruit but with ripples of bacon fat, cloves, and a raspberry generosity cut with tangy acidity to make for sweet and sour complexity. The balance? Kissy fingers emoji.  I just want to drink it.  Best drinking: why wait?  Rating: 18.5/20.  Would I buy it? Definitely."  Andrew Graham

"95 Points. Stand out Pinot Noir. Powerfully fruited, crunchy with spice, tannic and the possessor of real presence. Red cherry, woodsmoke and cranberry flavours run juicily throughout but it’s the waves of both tannin and spice that have this ricocheting to all corners. Wow this is impressive. Nutty oak completes a firm, detailed, beautifully fruited picture. Tasted: Oct22 13.2% alc. $45 Screwcap Drink: 2024 - 2032+" Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front. 

"2021, I’ve been waiting for you ! A wonderful vintage in the hands of a producer with great sites and winemaking pedigree.  The nose balances between floral, red berry aromatics and earthen spice. The palate has concentration and purity of red and black cherry, but it is the savoury build of tannins that are intertwined with stem and brown spice that is finely textured and set this wine apart. The finish is driven by black plum with a textural pull, undergrowth and subtle spice linger." Patrick Eckel.  winereviewer.com.au