2025 Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Chardonnay

94 pts
A knockout value Yarra Chardonnay that nails the sweet spot between fruit purity and finesse, all without a hint of pretension.

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Sale price$20.00
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Description

We sound like a broken record at this point, but Franco D'Anna owns the entry-level Chardonnay game. The Wickhams Road label is designed to be a little more open and accessible than the main Hoddles Creek Estate line, but it is made with the exact same attention to detail.

This 2025 release is sourced from a specific vineyard in Yarra Junction, just over the hill from the Hoddles home block. The vines here were planted in 1997, giving them enough age to produce fruit with genuine depth.

It is forward and lively, capturing the bright nectarine and citrus energy of the Upper Yarra. While it has plenty of flesh, it never feels heavy. It is just honest, beautifully made Chardonnay that punches well above its weight. If you are looking for a midweek staple, this is it.

94 points
"Last year I had a slight preference for the Wickhams Road Yea Chardonnay, this year it's the Yarra's turn... I'll taste wines from the Yarra twice this price this year and that aren't as good!"
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

92 points
"It has a juiciness to flavour... Not trying too hard to be anything other than a great drink, is the import."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

94 points - "Last year I had a slight preference for the Wickhams Road Yea Chardonnay, this year it's the Yarra's turn. Stone fruits and a little matchstick lead onto the light- to medium-bodied and very nicely balanced palate. I'll taste wines from the Yarra twice this price this year and that aren't as good!" - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

92 points - "So this is a new site for Wickhams, Bulong Estate in Yarra Junction. Planted 1995. ‘Quality site and vineyard’, says Franco D’Anna. It looks at this early stage, that the Yarra Valley wines from 2025 are going to be very good.

It has a juiciness to flavour and I’m thinking yellow peach, grapefruit, and a lick of spice and cedar oak. It’s clean and fresh, quite direct in terms of style, a fine chalkiness to texture, with a lively finish of good length, a little lemon zest to close. Not trying too hard to be anything other than a great drink, is the import." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

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
Region Yarra Valley
Australian State VIC
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 94
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2025
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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