Who makes it?
Oxford Landing Chardonnay is part of the vast Hill Smith portfolio, along with Yalumba. Oxford Landing vineyards are in the Riverlands in South Australia. The vineyard starts on the banks of the famous Murray River. The wines under this label are made to be easy drinking quaffers. Oxford Landing was founded in 1958 as Yalumba River Estate. However, 1990 saw the brand launch under Oxford Landing. Since 1990, it has become a mainstay on Australian wine shelves.
To read more about the Hill Smith family and Yalumba, please read ‘Yalumba – all the land around’.
How do they make it?
This is a Chardonnay that is remarkable for the value when you consider how the team makes it. The team aim for minimal intervention during the winemaking process. With the result being a wine that undergoes wild yeast ferment and malolactic fermentation. The wine then is matured with lees contact and some oak treatment. As you might expect though, the palate is structured for those who like some fruit sweetness. It sits around 5-6 grams per litre of residual sugar. This balances out the wine and adds some body.
Considering in Australia you can still get it for less than $15, even less than $10 in a multi buy, it is a remarkable wine still after all this time.
To read more about Lees, please read ‘What are Lees’.
What does it taste like?
The Chardonnay fruit is in the ripe zone here. Pineapple, peach and melon with some lightly toasted nuts. It is medium bodied highlighted by fresh acid. That time on lees gives the wine a light creaminess on the finish. It is well balanced and gently rounded.
What to drink it with?
This has enough fruit and interest to enjoy with a salad with chicken or fish or olive oil or pesto based pasta dish. Or you could easily enjoy a glass without food.
Cheese
Enjoy this wine with some fresh cheeses such as feta, or goats cheese.
Country of Origin: South Australia, Australia
Tasting Date: June 2025
Price: UK £7.5 | AU$14 | US$ 10 ++
Drink: now – 5+ years
Needs food: no
Source: tasting
If you like Australian white wines, why not check out:
Pikes Luccio Fiano
Oliver’s Taranga Fiano
Sons of Eden Freya Riesling
Yabby Lake Pinot Gris Single Vineyard
Henschke Julius Riesling
Turkey Flat Barossa Valley White
Visit oxfordlanding for more.
