2024 Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Chardonnay

A knockout value Yarra Chardonnay that nails the sweet spot between fruit purity and finesse, all without a hint of pretension.
4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

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Sale price$20.00
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Description

Wickhams Road has quietly earned cult status for delivering brilliant Yarra Valley Chardonnay at a price that still feels like a steal. Made by Franco D’Anna and the Hoddles Creek crew, it’s crafted with the same care as their estate range, just with a more open, fruit-driven vibe.

The 2024 vintage draws from Upper Yarra vineyards - Macclesfield brings finesse and that crisp acid backbone, while Woori Yallock adds mid-palate weight and texture. Hand-picked fruit, natural fermentation, and a short stint on lees have shaped a Chardonnay that’s fresh, layered, and full of personality without tipping into winemaking showboating. Expect nectarine, citrus, a flicker of almond, and a touch of savoury complexity holding it all together.

It’s a wine that’s happy in all sorts of settings - whether you’re pulling the cork midweek or sharing it over a long lunch. There’s no pretence here, just honest, beautifully made Chardonnay that punches well above its weight.

94 points
"In competition for best $20 chardonnay in the country."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

92 points
"Bright, lively, elegantly structured and energetic... Amazing value."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

91 points
"All about the fruit, delivered without winemaking ego."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

94 points - "This is the last year that Hoddles Creek will have access to fruit from the Lone Star Creek vineyard in Woori Yallock. Quite different, but equally as good as it's stablemate from the Yea Valley. This is nuttier and more savoury, while the palate is denser and chewier. It will need another 6–12 months to loosen up and unwind. Regardless, they are in competition with each other for best $20 chardonnay in the country." - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

92 points - "Bright medium-light yellow hue with a smoked meaty charcuterie bouquet, including lemon butter and tangy lime leaf. The wine is bright, lively, elegantly structured and energetic on the tongue, a multitude of lemony flavours lingering long on the farewell. Amazing value." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

91 points - "Quite a juicy affair offering nectarine, grapefruit, a little cinnamon spice and almond biscuit. It’s medium-bodied, has some nutty savoury input in with white peach and citrus, a gently chalky texture, bright and kind of intense acidity, and good length of flavour. It feels cool, but there’s some pleasing ripeness with a good amount of Chardonnay flavour on offer. It’s all about the fruit here, delivered in fine shape, without too much winemaking ego and artifice. I like it." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 0 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • IR
    Ian R.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2023 Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Good now, perhaps better next year or the year after

    I preferred the Gippsland chardy to the Yarra Valley over the last couple of vintages, but couldnt get it this year. On openng the first bottle of this, I found the contrast between my expectations ( based on last year's Gippsland option) and reality was a touch confronting, with a little too much matchstick funk overriding the delicious white peach/nectarine fruit I was expecting. However, a little patience and time in the glass sorted that out, and the quality (particularly for the price) and enjoyment are still there.

Made with the same exacting standards as our own estate grown Chardonnay, this Wickhams Rd Chardonnay is foward, lively and balanced. Sourced from vineyards in Upper Yarra, namely Maccesfield and Woori Yallock. The Woori Yallock component gives some mid palate weight, whilst the Maccesfield provides finesse and the long acid drive.

Price Bracket $30 or Less
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Gippsland
Australian State VIC
Critic Score 94
92
91
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

Hoddles Creek Estate

Hoddles Creek Estate lays a serious claim to being one of the best value producers in Australia.

Led by the extremely hardworking winemaking guru Franco D’Anna, the Hoddles team crafts wonderful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in particular that seriously overdeliver at all price points.

The wines are all made from fruit grown on their family vineyard in the Upper Yarra Valley. A must-try for Yarra Valley fans and bargain hunters alike!

Winemaker Franco D'Anna - Yarra Valley, VIC Discover Hoddles Creek

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