Review: Oakridge Willowlake Pinot Noir 2022

Just what you want on a Friday – a prime Yarra Valley Pinot Noir begging to be in your cellar. This Oakridge Willowlake Pinot Noir 2022 isn’t even that expensive (for a Pinot), meaning you must buy some. I would. The pick of this year’s Oakridge single vineyard Pinots and it defies the late and cool season with a shitload of flavour. Then again, the Willowlake Vineyard is not exactly known for its lightness – north facing, all Mv6 clone (which tend to be bright red-flavoured), which often translates into juicy wine. This doesn’t break that mould – ultra-bright ripe raspberry/redcurrant squish fruit is the hero here, with the edges dipping into the spiced cherry riper fruit. What an expanse of raspberry flavour! It’s bold, mouthfilling, and ripe, but never heavy, with a little filip of darker fruit and slightly dark tannins to fill out the finish. It could be 1er cru Burgundy, and it’s only $48.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: nowish
• Score (out of 20): 18.5
• Score (out of 100): 94
• Alcohol %: 13.3
• RRP (in $AUD): 48
• Winery website: https://oakridgewines.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: sure would