Tasting the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge winning Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Chardonnay 2017

Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Chardonnay 2017

The Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Chardonnay 2017 was announced as the winner of the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge last week, and by sheer coincidence, I opened one several days ago.

Nice timing.

After drinking half the bottle I can report that it’s yet another top Oakridge Chardonnay too, although I didn’t fall in love until the second night. You can blame some a little reduction for that, although it blew off to reveal another Dave Bicknell Chard masterclass. A multi-layered, drying, powerful Chardonnay with funk, classy oak, some late phenolics, and a long finish.

Such a compact wine. Almost chewy in its weight, but all in balance. Ripe, powerful, ‘why take the white Burgundy gamble’ style that is one impressive drink.

My only question is whether I might marginally prefer the less dense – but more approachable – 2017 Henk Chardonnay. Buy them both. Best drinking: Wait until next year or give it a decant. 18.7/20, 95/100. 13.5%, $85. Would I buy it? Yes.