Lusty chardonnay from handsome, nice-shirt-wearing winemaker Mike Aylward. It’s not quite a buttery chardonnay but it’s got touches of richer spectrum fruit and oak character, a fleshiness in texture and a soft, smooth finish. Perfume says melon, stone fruit, apple, vanilla, spice. The palate not too far off that, with a brush of light honey. Dials in good, big, lip-smacking character, though does have a slightly dilute feel overall, which is overlooked for most part. (Oct17)

90 points | Mike Bennie, winefront.com.au

Inspiration for the Grande Chardonnay comes from the cooler growing areas of France; in particular Meursault and Chassagne Montrachet. The extremely high quality of Mornington Peninsula Chardonnays shows through in this wine.

The Grande Chardonnay is pale gold in colour and gives little indication of its age and extended barrel maturation. The aromas are spicy with a hint of burnt matchstick along with some honeyed lemon. Whilst certainly not over the top the wine is rich compared to our Verve Chardonnay and the flavour builds in the mouth. Honey notes are strong at the front of the palate and there is some toast from the oak. At the back of the palate, the acidity is fantastic in and the finish is dry and lingering.

(OE0314)

Grape Variety Chardonnay
Closure Screwcap
Bottle Size 750ml
Brand Ocean Eight
SKU OE0314