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Oak Valley
Oak Valley
FROM THE BARREL ROOM PLATTERS 5 STAR WINES
As a winery with a strong focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, we often get asked the inevitable question of whether we benchmark our wines against Burgundy. We always laugh and feel sorry to admit that we can’t really afford to go through the exercise anymore!
Obviously there would be no point in benchmarking if you are doing so against another region’s more affordable versions. As much as I enjoy the occasional spoil of drinking a good Burgundy, I am even more inspired by the winegrowing culture in Burgundy that places such a strong emphasis on site expression.
It is hard to drive past a Premier – or Grand Cru vineyard, often enclosed within ancient limestone walls, and not feel a sense of awe, not to mention the jealousy of the owners of these parcels! It is from this winegrowing ethos that our Tabula Rasa range was born. The goal originally was research and development and a better understanding of our sites, soils and our clones and the gained knowledge then to be applied when establishing more vineyards for the future. From this point of view it has been tremendously valuable.
Another major benefit of the Tabula Rasa range is the benefit of releasing wines that have been bottle-matured in perfect cellar conditions longer until the first signs of tertiary development appear and primary and secondary flavours and aromas are perfectly integrated. This helps to show our buyers the ageing potential of Elgin Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
We are thrilled that our 2022 Tabula Rasa CY 548 and PN 777 2022 have both just recently been awarded 5-stars by the John Platter guide. These wines are still resting in our cool cellar and we’re down to the final cases of our 2021 Tabula Rasa — a vintage drinking beautifully right now. Presented in individually boxed gift packaging, it’s the perfect Christmas gesture: for the uncle who shares our single-vineyard obsession, or for yourself as you raise a glass to another eventful vintage coming to a close.
From the winegrowing team at Oak Valley, thank you for your continued support.
Wishing you a blessed and restorative Christmas season.
Jacques du Plessis
Winemaker, Viticulturist
