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? 18.5/20, 94/100. 13.2%, $45. Oakridge website. Would I buy it? Definitely.